Patent Abstract:
The present disclosure provides a harness adjustment system that may be used in various applications including backpacks, windsurf harnesses, kite-board harnesses, mountain climbing harnesses, utility harnesses, backpack shoulder straps, tie-down straps, and various belts for numerous applications. The harness adjustment system includes a first webbing strap, a winding reel, a cable tension member, and a strap lock. The winding reel is secured to a first portion of the strap. The cable is interconnected between a second portion of the strap and the winding reel. The cable loops from the strap to the reel such that winding of the reel retracts the cable to pull the second portion of the strap toward the first portion. The lock is coupled to the first strap second portion. The lock is selectively engageable with the second portion of the strap to relieve tension from the cable. Both cam and plate locks are disclosed.

Full Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM  
       [0001]     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/903,491 filed Jul. 30, 2004, which claims priority from provisional application Ser. No. 60/552,218 filed Mar. 11, 2004 and 60/515,305 filed Oct. 28, 2003. Each and all of the foregoing applications are incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     This invention relates generally to harness adjustment and tightening systems and, more specifically, to winding reel adjustment systems for packs and other body harnesses.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Harnesses and harness tighteners are used on backpacks and belt packs, as well as various climbing and safety harnesses, and sports harnesses, such as for kite-boarding. The user needs a close-fitting secure harness, especially about the waist, without discomfort. Current methods of tightening a waist harness involve a strap looped through a buckle. The strap extends from the hip portion of the waist belt under a buckle first member, around a second member, and back under the first member. The arrangement creates a friction hold on the strap. The strap is loosened by pulling outwardly on the lateral side of the buckle to release the friction on the buckle first member.  
         [0004]     Tightening the buckle precisely and securely may be difficult. Two hands may be necessary to snuggly secure the hip belt. One hand is used to pull the strap portion between the hip pad and the buckle towards the buckle, while the other hand pulls the loose end of the strap to slide the strap through the buckle. The user must overcome the buckle friction and has little mechanical advantage. Further friction is introduced in tightening since the angle for pulling the strap along its tensioned length is usually ergonomically awkward for the user. Thus the strap is usually pulled at least somewhat out of line. The use of both hands and the difficult tightening usually require the user to stop hiking (or other activities) while he or she tightens the hip belt. On-the-fly tightening is difficult at best.  
         [0005]     Therefore, a need exists for a tightening system that pulls in line with the strap direction, is easy to adjust with one hand, achieves a mechanical advantage for secure tightening, and locks securely in place once tightened. The present invention meets these needs as discussed below.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     The present invention provides a harness adjustment system that may be used in various applications including backpacks, windsurf harnesses, kite-board harnesses, mountain climbing harnesses, utility harnesses, backpack shoulder straps, tie-down straps, and various belts for numerous applications. The harness adjustment system includes a first strap, a winding reel, a tension member, and a lock. The first strap has a first portion and a second portion. The winding reel is secured to the first portion. The winding reel has a rotation portion that rotates relative to the first portion. The tension member is interconnected between the second portion and the winding reel. The tension member is engaged by the winding reel rotation portion. The lock is coupled to the first strap second portion. The lock is selectively engageable with the second portion of the strap.  
         [0007]     In one aspect of the invention, the first strap first portion, the second portion, and the tension member form a loop. The loop is adjustable in length by adjustment of the tension member with the winding reel. The lock is a rotatably mounted cam having a cam surface that engages the first strap. In another embodiment, the lock includes overlapping plates through which the strap is entrained.  
         [0008]     The further aspect of the invention includes a coupler having a first end engaged with the loop. The lock is connected to the coupler to engage the loop. A second strap is also coupled to a second end of the coupler. The second strap extends away from the first strap. A buckle is coupled to the second strap. The system works with a hip belt with the buckle being coupled to the hip belt and the first strap being coupled to the hip belt.  
         [0009]     In one aspect of the invention, the tension member includes a cable that is windable on the winding reel. The cable loops from the winding reel to the second portion of the first strap and back to the winding reel. Preferably, cable guides are secured to the first strap first portion and to the first strap second portion for providing a low friction engagement with the cable loop from the winding reel around to the straps and back to the winding reel. Adjustment of the winding reel thus adjusts the hip belt.  
         [0010]     In a further aspect of the invention, a second strap is provided that is coupled to the first strap through the coupling member on the opposing side from the lock. A buck is coupled to the second strap and to the hip belt for macro adjustment of the hip belt with the second strap. Micro adjustment then may be carried out with the harness system winding reel.  
         [0011]     One aspect of the invention includes the securement of a backpack to the hip belt that includes the harness system described.  
         [0012]     In a further aspect of the invention, the lock member includes a rotatable cam having a cam surface engageable with the first elongated strap. The cam member may be rotatably coupled to the coupler member that engages the first strap and the second strap. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]     The preferred and alternative embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the following drawings.  
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the harness system of the present invention used with a backpack secured on a user;  
         [0015]      FIGS. 2A  and B illustrate the tightening system for the harness of the present invention in a plan view and elevational view;  
         [0016]      FIGS. 3A  and B illustrate in schematic views the basic instruction of the winding reel;  
         [0017]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  illustrate in plan and side elevational views a preferred harness tightening mechanism with a plate lock;  
         [0018]      FIG. 5  illustrates the parts of the plate lock;  
         [0019]      FIG. 6  shows a close-up plan view of the plate lock;  
         [0020]      FIG. 7  illustrates a kite-board harness that employs the tightening mechanism of the present invention;  
         [0021]      FIG. 8  is a plan view of the front portion of the kite-board harness showing the tightening and locking mechanisms;  
         [0022]      FIG. 9  shows an alternate winding device; and  
         [0023]      FIGS. 10A  and B illustrate plan and side elevational views of the winding mechanism of  FIG. 9 .  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0024]     The disclosure of pending application Ser. No. 10/903,491 filed Jul. 30, 2004 is hereby incorporated by reference.  
         [0025]     The preferred embodiments of the tightening mechanism of the present invention will now be discussed in connection with  FIGS. 1 through 10 . As will be appreciated, the tightening mechanism may be used with various harness systems including hip or waist belts for various applications such as backpacking or kite-boarding. The applications are not limited to these specific examples. Thus,  FIG. 1  illustrates a preferred embodiment of the present invention as secured on a user “U” to help hold a backpack. A harness  10  is thus provided for this use. Harness  10  includes a hip belt  12  that encircles the user about his or her waist and hips similar to a conventional backpack hip belt.  
         [0026]     Hip belt  12  is secured to the user with straps and adjustment mechanisms. An adjuster mechanism  14  is provided that tightens the hip belt about the user in an efficient and easy to use fashion. Adjustment mechanism  14  will be described in further detail below in connection with  FIGS. 2 and 3 . Adjustment mechanism  14  is secured to a first strap  16  that is fixed to hip belt  12  then loops through a coupler  18  for interconnection with adjustment mechanism  14  and for tightening thereof. A second strap  20  is secured to the opposing side of coupler  18  and extends to the opposite side of the user to be secured with a buckle  22 . Buckle  22  also allows for a macro adjustment of harness  10  about the waist of the user. In this preferred embodiment, an abdominal pad  24  is also secured between the user and second strap  20 .  
         [0027]     As mentioned above, harness  10  is used in this instance for aid in securing a backpack  26  to the back of a user. Backpack  26  includes a bag and a shoulder strap  28  secured at its upper end to the bag and at its lower end to hip belt  12 . Obviously, other loads or applications may be used that employ similar harness mechanism shown and described herein as harness  10 . The backpack is used for illustrative and exemplary purposes only.  
         [0028]     Referring now to  FIGS. 2A  and B, adjustment mechanism  14  includes a base member  30  onto which a winding reel  32  is secured. Base member  30  may be of a plastic, composite, fabric, or other material to provide a secure mounting location for reel  32  and to interconnect reel  32  to the remainder of harness  10 , either to the hip belt  12 , for example, or to another strap mechanism. Alternatively, base member  30  is an integral part of hip belt  12 . Base member  30  may be secured to a first strap portion  34  of first strap  16  or may be secured directly to hip belt  12 . In the case of direct securement, first strap  16  may also be secured directly to a portion of hip belt  12  at strap first portion  34 . In  FIG. 2B , base  30  is shown elevated above first strap  16  for illustrative purposes. It may be fixed directly to first strap  16  or to hip belt  12 . First strap  16  extends from first portion  34  through coupler  18  and back towards reel  32  at strap second portion  36 .  
         [0029]     A cable  38  extends from within reel  32  to second portion  36  of first strap  16  so as to couple strap second portion  36  to reel  32 . Specifically, cable  38  extends from reel  32  through a medial cable guide  40  which directs cable  38  back towards reel  32  then through lateral cable guide  42  and into reel  32 . Medial and lateral cable guides  40  and  42  are “U” shaped in plan view with channels therein to slidably guide cable  38  about a looped path. An intermediate cable guide  44  is also preferably secured adjacent reel  32  and lateral cable guide  42  on base member  30  to help guide cable  38 . Both lateral cable guide  42  and intermediate cable guide  44  are preferably secured to base member  30 .  
         [0030]     When reel  32  is rotated, cable  38  is wound therein such that strap second portion  36  is pulled toward reel  32  for a shortening of the distance between base member  30  and coupler  18 . Thus, the easy adjustment of the tightening of the harness is carried out. Loosening is accomplished by releasing reel  32 .  
         [0031]     Coupler  18  provides a first transverse bar  46  around which first strap  16  may loop back on itself for securement to cable  38  at strap second portion  36 . First strap  16  slidably engages first transverse bar  46  such that as strap second portion  36  is pulled, a 2-to-1 mechanical advantage is achieved simply through the interconnection between coupler  18  and first strap  16 .  
         [0032]     Coupler  18  also includes a second transverse bar  48  at the opposite end thereof to secure second strap  20  thereto. Second strap  20  is preferably looped around second transverse bar  48  and stitched back on itself for a secure fixation to coupler  18 .  
         [0033]     In the preferred embodiment of the invention, coupler  18  also includes a lock  50  that is rotatably connected to coupler  18  in a mid portion thereof. Lock  50  includes a cam  52  that engages with an outer surface of first strap  16  so as to prohibit slippage of first strap  16  about first transverse bar  46 . A release lever  54  is also provided so as to release cam  52  from engagement with first strap  16  as desired. With lock  50  engaging first strap  16 , the tension on reel  32  may be released. Alternately, tension may be maintained whereas lock  50  provides an extra measure of security such that the main force pulling on first strap  16  from harness  10  will be effectively transmitted through coupler  18  without undue forces being constantly exerted on adjustment mechanism  14  during use. Thus, for example in various applications such as backpacking or kite-boarding, large intermittent forces may be encountered which may unduly wear on adjustment mechanism  14 . In alternate embodiments of the invention, lock  50  may be omitted. When lock  50  is included, release of tension on first strap  16  is accomplished by releasing reel  32 &#39;s engagement with cable  38  and thereafter pulling release lever  54  to release lock  50  to allow first strap  16  to slide pass first transverse bar  46 .  
         [0034]     Turning now to  FIGS. 3A and 3B , the details of reel  32  will be discussed. Reel  32  is preferably a winding reel such as that produced by Boa Technology, Inc. of Steamboat Springs, Colo. The basic construction and operation of the reel is shown in schematic views in  FIGS. 3A  and B. Reel  32  includes a spool  58 , a housing  58 , and gears  60  and  62 . Spool  58  holds a portion of cable  38  wound thereabout. The lower portion of spool  58  is secured to a central gear  60 . Outer gears  62  surround central gear  60  and are held within a ring gear  64  of housing  56 . Also not shown is a ratchet mechanism that holds ring gear  64  from rotation in one direction until released therefrom. Release from the one-way ratchet and pull mechanism as well as from engagement with outer gears  62  is accomplished by lifting housing  56  such that ring gear  64  clears outer gears  62 .  
         [0035]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  illustrate adjustment mechanism  14  with an alternate plate lock  66  in place of lock  50  that employs a cam. Plate lock  66  is made up of an upper plate  68  and a lower plate  70  through various cross bars of which first strap  16  is entrained.  
         [0036]      FIGS. 5 and 6  illustrate the details of plate lock  66  and its various pieces along with the entrainment of first strap  16  therethrough. Upper and lower plates  68  and  70  are generally rectangular in plan view with various openings and cross bars therein. They are preferably constructed of metal, but may alternatively be constructed of plastic, composite, or other standard materials. Upper plate  68  includes first, second, and third cross bars  72 ,  74 , and  76 , respectively. These cross bars are on one side of upper plate  68 .  
         [0037]     Lower plate  70  includes a lower plate opening  78  over which upper plate rests, upper plate  68  being larger than lower plate opening  78 . Lower plate  70  also includes a second strap opening  80  through which second strap  20  is looped for securement thereto.  
         [0038]     An understanding of how first strap  16  is engaged with plate lock  66  can be had by an examination of  FIG. 6 . Strap  16  extends from its connection to hip belt  12  up through lower plate opening  78  and between first cross bar  72  and second cross bar  74  of upper plate  68 . Strap  16  then extends downwardly between second cross bar  74  and third cross bar  76  to then exit plate lock  66  and extend back toward winding reel  32  to be coupled therewith by cable  38 .  
         [0039]     As strap  16  is tensioned, it is able to slide through upper and lower plates  68  and  70  due to strap  16  pulling on second cross bar  74  to allow free clearance for a passage of strap  16 . However, once tension on strap second portion  36  is relieved, the tension on strap first portion  34  slides upper plate  68  such that the portion of strap  16  extending between second cross bar  74  and third cross bar  76  frictionally engages lower plate  70  to inhibit sliding of strap  16  therethrough.  
         [0040]     Strap  16  is released from plate lock  66  by lifting on the side of upper plate  68  opposite cross bars  72 ,  74 , and  76 .  
         [0041]     Referring now to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the tightening mechanism of the present invention will now be described in connection with an application of a kite-board harness. Thus, referring to  FIG. 7 , a kite-board harness  100  is provided to be secured about a user “U”. Kite-board harness  100  includes a hip belt  112  that is configured for comfortable and secure usage for kite-boarding. Hip belt  112  is similar to standard hip belts generally available. Thus hip belt  112  may be constructed with standard outer materials, padding, and boarders. An adjustment mechanism  114  is secured to hip belt  112 . Adjustment mechanism  114  is secured to a first strap  116  and a coupler  118  similar to that described above in connection with  FIG. 1 . A second strap  120  is secured between coupler  118  and a hook coupling  128  that secures a kite-hook  126 . Its hook mechanisms are also preferably similar to those standard mechanisms used in the kite-boarding industry. An abdominal pad  124  is secured between hook coupling  128  and the user.  
         [0042]     Adjustment mechanism  114  is used in a similar fashion to that described above. Adjustment mechanism  114  may provide micro adjustability and is particularly efficient due to the great mechanical advantage it employs through the looping of strap  116  as well as the mechanical advantage gained with the reel used in adjustment mechanism  114 .  
         [0043]     Further details of the various components of the invention as employed with a kite-board harness are illustrated in  FIG. 8 . A base member  130  is secured to hip belt  12  to provide a mounting location for the reel of adjustment mechanism  114 . A support member  184  may be under the outer skin or on top of the outer skin of hip belt  12  to disperse the load transmitted through strap  116  and base member  130 .  
         [0044]     A lock  150  is also provided on coupler  118 . In this embodiment, a release lever of lock  150  is in its lock position when flush with the outer face of strap  116 . Thus, it will not be unintentionally disengaged as the user must pull outward on the free end of lock  152  release strap  116 . However, tightening of strap  116  with adjustment mechanism  114  is accomplished by simply rotating the winding reel. This is due to the cam lock nature of lock  150  which engages strap  116  when it moves toward a loosening direction, but allows strap  116  to pass in a tightening direction. The cam lock mechanism may also be spring loaded to further aid in this function. The spring biases the cam toward an engaged position.  
         [0045]     The preferred tightening mechanism on the opposite side of harness  100  from adjustment mechanism  114  is also illustrated in  FIG. 8 . In this embodiment, second strap  120  includes two straps affixed to hip belt  112  that extend toward hook coupling  128 . These straps extend through a second strap coupler that loops the straps back to buckles  122  which are then tightened with tightening straps looped therethrough in a conventional fashion. The angled orientation of second straps  120  allows for a secure positioning of hip belt  112  on the user.  
         [0046]     An alternate winding reel tightening mechanism will now be described in connection with  FIGS. 9 and 10 . This mechanism winds the webbing of first strap  216  directly about a spool on the winding mechanism rather than having an intermediary cable member. Alternately, an intermediary webbing member or other strap member that is wound about the spool may be used. However, you will note that the axis of the spool substantially parallel to the face of first strap  216  rather than normal thereto as in winding reel  32  discussed above. Adjustment mechanism  214  tightens first strap  216  as it is looped back on itself through coupler  218 . Thus, tightening of adjustment mechanism  214  brings coupler  218  closer to adjustment mechanism  214 . Second strap  220  is secured to coupler  218  for tightening of a hip belt or other device.  
         [0047]     Adjustment mechanism  214  is secured on base member  230 , which may be secured to a hip belt or other strap or device that requires tightening. A reel  232  includes an adjust wheel  251  that the user operates to turn a spool  258 . Adjust wheel  251  includes an axis of rotation that is substantially normal to first strap  216  before it is wound on spool  258 . Turning of adjust wheel  251  is translated into turning of spool  258  about a transverse axis thereto through the use of a drive gear  253  and a driven gear  255 . Drive gear  253  is keyed to adjust wheel  251  and engages driven gear  255  with beveled gears to then drive wind axle  259  keyed to spool  258 . First strap  216 , being engaged with spool  258 , is thus wound about spool  258  by rotation of adjust wheel  251 . A ratchet mechanism, not shown, may be used to hold the position of spool  258 , as desired. The ratchet may engage adjust wheel  251  such that when adjust wheel  251  is pulled upwardly away from spool  258 , drive gear  253  disengages drive gear  255  to allow spool  258  to release tension on strap  216 .  
         [0048]     While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, as noted above, many changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is not limited by the disclosure of the preferred embodiment. Instead, the invention should be determined entirely by reference to the claims that follow.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1