Patent Description:
Orthostatic intolerance, also commonly referred to as "suspension trauma", may include symptoms such as light-headedness, breathlessness, palpitations, tremulousness, poor concentration, fatigue, nausea, dizziness, headache, sweating, paleness, increased or unusually low heart rate, unusually low blood pressure, loss of vision, weakness, and faintness. While in a sedentary position, blood can accumulate in the veins, commonly referred to as "venous pooling", and cause orthostatic intolerance. Venous pooling typically occurs in the legs due to gravity and a lack of movement, and an accumulation of blood in the legs reduces the amount of blood in circulation throughout the rest of the body. The body reacts by speeding up the heart rate in an attempt to maintain sufficient blood flow to the brain. If the blood supply is sufficiently reduced, this reaction will not be effective. The body will abruptly slow the heart rate and the blood pressure will diminish in the arteries. During severe venous pooling, the reduction in quantity and/or quality of oxygen content in the blood flowing to the brain will cause one or more of the above-mentioned symptoms. This reduction of oxygen in the blood can also have an effect on other vital organs such as the kidneys, which may result in renal failure. If these conditions continue, they may be fatal.

Orthostatic intolerance may be experienced by workers using fall protection systems including fall protection harnesses. After a fall, a worker is suspended by the dorsal D-ring of the fall protection harness, and the worker is left suspended in a relatively vertical/upright position by the fall protection system until rescued. The worker may remain suspended in the fall protection harness for a length of time, and the sustained immobility may lead to a state of unconsciousness and/or any of the other above-mentioned symptoms. Depending upon the length of time the suspended worker is unconscious and/or immobile and depending upon the level of venous pooling, the resulting orthostatic intolerance may possibly lead to death. While not common, such fatalities are often referred to as "harness induced pathology".

Unconscious and/or immobile workers suspended in their harnesses will not be able to move their legs and will not fall into a horizontal position as they would if they were standing. While in the relatively vertical/upright position, venous pooling is more likely to occur and cause orthostatic intolerance, especially if the suspended worker is left in such a position for a length of time. If the worker is not rescued timely, in less than <NUM> minutes, venous pooling and orthostatic intolerance could result in serious injury or even death as the brain, the kidneys, and other organs are deprived of oxygen. Care must be taken during the rescue because moving the worker quickly into a horizontal position could cause cardiac arrest due to the abrupt increase in blood flow to the heart.

OSHA has suggested that footholds may be used to alleviate pressure on the workers' legs and provide support for "muscle pumping" to activate the leg muscles and reduce the risk of venous pooling. Therefore, fall protection harnesses incorporating such footholds or trauma relief assemblies are desirable to reduce risk of suspension trauma. For example, <CIT> discloses a suspension relief device and method of use for minimizing suspension trauma to a user suspended in a harness in an elevated position in which the user's legs are dangling beneath the user's heart. The suspension relief device attaches to the user's harness and includes a strap for providing a foothold for the user's feet and a sliding loop for adjusting the length of the strap. <CIT> discloses a lightweight safety harness comprising adjustable belt sections for the upper chest, waist and upper thighs. In one of two shoulder straps, there is stored a primary release pin and secondary brake strap. The shoulder straps criss-cross to form a soft, triangular shaped panel on the harness wearer's back. A spine brace divides that triangle in two. Near the top of that spine brace is a rack having at least one aperture wrapped with Kevlar® webbing. A long, thin composite rope serpentines back-and-forth, between sets of elastic loops running down opposed legs to the triangular panel before being threaded through the rack in a preferred pattern. At the base of that triangular panel, there is attached one end to a reserve suspension relief strap (RSRS). A cover extends the triangular panel but can be removed for inspection before every use.

Conventional trauma relief assemblies are mounted on exteriors of fall protection harnesses resulting in potential abrasion or snagging hazards. Known trauma relief assemblies can also include multiple components requiring workers to use both hands when connecting and adjusting trauma relief assemblies. Another suspension relief device is known from <CIT>.

There is a need for trauma relief assemblies that reduce potential abrasion or snagging hazards. There is also a need for trauma relief assemblies that are simpler and easier to connect and adjust, particularly when being used by workers suspended in fall protection harnesses.

The present disclosure provides trauma relief assemblies that reduce potential abrasion or snagging hazards. The present disclosure also provides trauma relief assemblies that are simpler and easier to connect and adjust, particularly when being used by workers suspended in fall protection harnesses.

In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a suspension trauma relief strap assembly for use in a fall protection harness comprising: a first housing integrally mounted within one side of the fall protection harness and configured to hold a strap, wherein the strap has a first end and a second end, and wherein the first end is operably connected to the first housing and the second end includes a connector; and a connection mechanism disposed on a second side of the fall protection harness, wherein the connection mechanism is configured to connect with the connector to form a connection assembly. In some embodiments, the connection mechanism is removably disposed on the second side of the fall protection harness. In some embodiments, the connection mechanism is integrally mounted within the second side of the fall protection harness.

In some embodiments, the connection mechanism is disposed within a second housing. In some embodiments, the second housing is removably disposed on the second side of the fall protection harness. In some embodiments, the second housing is integrally mounted within the second side of the fall protection harness.

In some embodiments, the connection assembly is selected from at least one of a suspender assembly, a clip and ring assembly, a slot assembly, and a guy-line assembly. In some embodiments, the slot assembly is selected from at least one of a T-slot assembly and a ball joint assembly. In some embodiments, the suspender assembly is selected from at least one of a circular suspender assembly, and a diamond suspender assembly. In some embodiments, the strap may withstand at least <NUM> kilograms (<NUM> pounds) of weight.

In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a fall protection harness comprising a suspension trauma relief strap assembly, wherein the suspension trauma relief strap assembly comprises: (a) a first housing integrally mounted within one side of the fall protection housing and configured to hold a strap, wherein the strap has a first end and a second end, and wherein the first end is operably connected to the first housing and the second end includes a connector; and (b) a connection mechanism disposed on a second side of the fall protection harness, wherein the connection mechanism is configured to connect with the connector to form a connection assembly. These fall protection harnesses may include all of the aforementioned embodiments.

In yet another aspect, the present disclosure provides a suspension trauma relief strap assembly for use with a fall protection harness having shoulder straps, leg straps, a seat strap, and a dorsal D-ring, the dorsal D-ring being operatively connected to the shoulder straps proximate a rear portion of the fall protection harness, the seat strap interconnecting the shoulder straps, the leg straps being operatively connected to the seat strap, wherein a worker donning the fall protection harness is suspended in a relatively upright position by the dorsal D-ring when a fall occurs, the dorsal D-ring pulling the fall protection harness upward relative to the worker, the fall protection harness placing pressure on the worker, the suspension trauma relief strap assembly comprising: a first housing integrally mounted within one side of the fall protection housing and configured to hold a strap, wherein the strap has a first end and a second end, and wherein the first end is operably connected to the first housing and the second end includes a connector; and a connection mechanism disposed on a second side of the fall protection harness, wherein the connection mechanism is configured to connect with the connector to form a connection assembly. In some embodiments, the connection assembly is formed the worker can stand on the strap. These suspension trauma relief strap assemblies may include all of the aforementioned embodiments.

By way of example only, embodiments of the present disclosure will now described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:.

Before any embodiments of the present disclosure are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the present disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description. The present disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. The use of "including", "comprising", or "having" and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Any numerical range recited herein includes all values from the lower value to the upper value. For example, if a percentage is stated as <NUM>% to <NUM>%, it is intended that values such as <NUM>% to <NUM>%, <NUM>% to <NUM>%, or <NUM>% to <NUM>%, etc., are expressly enumerated. These are only examples of what is specifically intended, and all possible combinations of numerical values between and including the lowest value and the highest value enumerated are considered to be expressly stated in this application.

In the present detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate specific embodiments in which the presently disclosed devices may be practiced. The illustrated embodiments are not intended to be exhaustive of all embodiments according to the present disclosure. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing feature sizes, amounts, and physical properties used in the specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term "about. " Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the foregoing specification and attached claims are approximations that can vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by those skilled in the art utilizing the teachings disclosed herein.

Spatially related terms, including but not limited to, "proximate", "distal", "lower", "upper", "beneath", "below", "above" , and "on top", if used herein, are utilized for ease of description to describe spatial relationships of an element(s) to another. Such spatially related terms encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the particular orientations depicted in the figures and described herein. For example, if an object depicted in the figures is turned over or flipped over, portions previously described as below or beneath other elements would then be above or on top of those other elements.

As used herein, when an element, component, or layer for example is described as forming a "coincident interface" with, or being "on", "connected to", "coupled with", "stacked on" or "in contact with" another element, component, or layer, it can be directly on, directly connected to, directly coupled with, directly stacked on, in direct contact with, or intervening elements, components or layers may be on, connected, coupled or in contact with the particular element, component, or layer, for example. As used herein the term "operably connected" means removably attached or permanently attached.

Fall protection harnesses are known in the art, and it is recognized that the presently disclosed suspension trauma relief assembly may be used with many different styles of fall protection harnesses. A fall protection harness <NUM> that may be used in the present disclosure is shown in <FIG> and includes shoulder straps 401a and 401b, leg straps 402a and 402b, a dorsal D-ring <NUM>, and a seat strap <NUM>. Shoulder straps 401a and 401b criss-cross in divergent fashion at a juncture proximate the rear portion of harness <NUM>, and dorsal D-ring <NUM> is operatively connected to shoulder straps 401a and 401b proximate the juncture. Seat strap <NUM> interconnects shoulder straps 401a and 401b, and leg straps 402a and 402b are operatively connected to seat strap <NUM>. Side D-rings <NUM> may also be operatively connected to seat strap <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG> and 1A, suspension trauma relief strap assemblies useful in the present disclosure include a first housing <NUM> integrally mounted within one side <NUM> of the fall protection harness <NUM> and configured to hold a strap <NUM>, where strap <NUM> has a first end <NUM> and a second end <NUM>. First end <NUM> is operably connected to first housing <NUM> and second end <NUM> includes a connector <NUM>. Presently disclosed suspension trauma relief strap assemblies also include a connection mechanism <NUM> disposed on a second side <NUM> of fall protection harness <NUM>, where connection mechanism <NUM> is configured to connect with connector <NUM> to form a connection assembly.

As shown in <FIG>, in some embodiments, first housing <NUM> of suspension trauma relief strap assembly is integrally mounted within one side <NUM> of fall protection harness (not shown). In some examples, first housing <NUM> is integrally mounted to seat strap <NUM> of fall protection harness where seat strap <NUM> intersects with one of shoulder straps 401a (not shown) or 401b. In some examples, first housing <NUM> is integrally mounted to seat strap using stitching 108a and 108b. Stitching useful in the present disclosure is preferably capable of maintaining a load of at least <NUM> kilograms (<NUM> pounds).

As shown in <FIG>, in some embodiments, side <NUM> of first housing <NUM> can be fixedly or removably attached to one of shoulder strap 401a (not shown) or 401b while side <NUM> of first housing is fixedly attached to seat strap <NUM>, such that first housing <NUM> is mounted substantially within these components (401a or <NUM> b, and <NUM>) of fall protection harness. In this example, closure mechanism <NUM> disposed along slot <NUM> is accessible to worker along distal face <NUM> of first housing <NUM>.

Straps <NUM> useful in the present disclosure include those made from lightweight materials. For example, straps <NUM> can be made using rope, cord, cable, webbing and the like. In some embodiments, straps <NUM> are made using cord, such as light weight and easy to compact cord. Example of light weight and easy to compact cord include nylon cord and cord made using high tenacity exotic yarns, such as those commercially available under the trade designation "DYNEEMA" from DSM, Heerlen, Netherlands. In some embodiments, straps <NUM> of the presently disclosed suspension trauma relief strap assemblies are made of ¾ inch (<NUM>,<NUM>) nylon webbing having a minimum tensile strength of <NUM> pounds (<NUM> kilograms). In some embodiments, straps useful in the present disclosure may withstand at least <NUM> kilograms (<NUM> pounds) of weight. In some embodiments, straps useful in the present disclosure are made of nylon cord and may withstand at least <NUM> kilograms (<NUM> pounds) of weight.

In some embodiments, connection mechanisms <NUM> useful in the present disclosure can be removably disposed on second side <NUM> of fall protection harness <NUM>. For example, connection mechanism <NUM> can be removably attached to fall protection harness <NUM> using conventional fasteners, such as for example buckles, snaps, zippers, hook and loop fasteners, and the like. In some embodiments, connection mechanisms <NUM> useful in the present disclosure can be integrally mounted within second side <NUM> of fall protection harness <NUM>. For example, connection mechanism <NUM> can be integrally mounted within second side <NUM> of fall protection harness <NUM> using any conventional permanent attachment means, such as stitching, gluing, ultrasonic welding, and the like.

In some embodiments, connection mechanism <NUM> is disposed within a second housing where second housing is disposed on a second side <NUM> of fall protection harness <NUM>. In some embodiments, the second housing is removably disposed on second side <NUM> of fall protection harness <NUM>. For example, second housing can be removably disposed on second side <NUM> of fall protection harness <NUM> using conventional fasteners, such as for example buckles, snaps, zippers, and the like.

In some embodiments, the second housing is integrally mounted within the second side <NUM> of fall protection harness <NUM>. For example, second housing can be integrally mounted within second side <NUM> of fall protection harness <NUM> using any conventional permanent attachment means, such as stitching, gluing, and the like.

<FIG> illustrates an embodiment of first housing <NUM> containing strap <NUM>, which is accessible by opening slot <NUM>. Slot <NUM> can be opened and closed using any conventional closures mechanism <NUM>, such as for example, a zipper, snaps, hook and loop closures, and the like. In some examples, strap <NUM> can be manually partially removed from first housing <NUM> when worker opens closure mechanism <NUM> and pulls connector <NUM> and second end <NUM> of strap out of first housing <NUM> via slot <NUM>.

Strap <NUM> is preferably wound into a configuration, not shown, with connector <NUM> and second end <NUM> proximate the center of spiral configuration and packed into first housing <NUM>. In some embodiments, connector <NUM> is taken from the center of the configuration and placed proximate slot <NUM> inside first housing <NUM> so connector <NUM> is readily accessible to be pulled, together with strap <NUM>, out of first housing <NUM> via slot <NUM>. In some embodiments, a pull tab (not shown) can be used to pull connector <NUM> and strap <NUM> out of first housing <NUM>. In this example, pull tab should also be readily accessible proximate slot <NUM> to pull connector <NUM> and strap <NUM> out of first housing <NUM> via slot <NUM>.

Connection assemblies useful in the present disclosure include those selected from at least one of suspender assemblies, clip and ring assemblies, a slot assemblies, and guy-line assemblies. Referring now to <FIG>, 8A and <FIG>, there are shown various embodiments of connection assemblies useful in the present disclosure. Referring now to <FIG> suspender assemblies <NUM> useful in the present disclosure include those selected from at least one of circular suspender assemblies and diamond suspender assemblies.

<FIG> shows an exemplary circular suspender assembly <NUM> useful in the present disclosure. <FIG> show an exemplary diamond suspender assembly <NUM> useful in the present disclosure. As shown in <FIG>, connector <NUM> useful in circular or diamond suspender assembly <NUM> has a distal portion <NUM> and a proximal portion <NUM>. Distal portion <NUM> of connector <NUM> is operably connected to strap <NUM>. In some embodiments, strap <NUM> is removably attached to distal portion <NUM> of connector <NUM> using one or more opening <NUM> in distal portion <NUM> through which strap <NUM> can be fed. In some embodiments, strap <NUM> is fixedly attached to or integral with distal portion <NUM> of connector <NUM> using any conventional means for such attachment or integration of hard good or soft good components.

Proximal portion <NUM> of connector <NUM> has an opening <NUM>. Opening is configured to mate with a protrusion <NUM> on connection mechanism <NUM>. Protrusion <NUM> and corresponding opening <NUM> may have any shape provided that they mate together to form suspender connection assembly <NUM>. For example, as shown in <FIG>, exemplary protrusion <NUM> is substantially diamond shaped having a perimeter of a diamond portion <NUM> of protrusion furthest away from connection mechanism <NUM> that is larger than a perimeter of a neck <NUM> of protrusion. Shape and perimeter of diamond portion <NUM> matches shape and perimeter of opening <NUM> such that worker can insert diamond portion <NUM> of protrusion <NUM> on connection mechanism through opening <NUM> in connector <NUM>. In some embodiments, diamond portion <NUM> only fits through opening <NUM> when connector <NUM> is rotated to some degree away from position of connector in use. For example, as shown in <FIG>, diamond portion <NUM> fits through opening <NUM> of connector <NUM> when connector <NUM> is rotated <NUM> degrees from use position shown in <FIG>. Once diamond portion <NUM> slides through opening <NUM> in connector <NUM>, a proximal edge <NUM> of opening <NUM> engages neck <NUM> of protrusion <NUM> thereby creating a suspender assembly <NUM> style of connection assembly <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG>, a circular portion <NUM> of protrusion <NUM> is used in a manner substantially similar as that described above for diamond portion <NUM> shown in <FIG>. In this manner, one of skill can appreciate that various provided that they mate together to form suspender connection assembly <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG>, in some embodiments, clip and ring assemblies <NUM> are useful connection assemblies <NUM> in the present disclosure. In some examples, second end <NUM> of strap operably connects to connector <NUM>, where connector <NUM> is a clip. Exemplary clips useful in the present disclosure include those having a buckle <NUM> to operably connect strap <NUM> to the clip and a depressible member <NUM>. Worker can press depressible member <NUM> on clip to engage a ring <NUM> disposed on connection mechanism <NUM>. Once the clip engages ring <NUM>, worker can remover pressure on depressible member <NUM> such that it will be biased to close the clip around ring <NUM> thereby creating a clip and ring assembly <NUM> style of connection assembly <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG>, in some embodiments, guy-line assemblies <NUM> are useful connection assemblies <NUM> in the present disclosure. In some examples, second end <NUM> of strap <NUM> wraps around a protrusion <NUM> on connection mechanism <NUM>. Protrusion <NUM> may have any shape provided that perimeter of a portion <NUM> of protrusion <NUM> furthest away from connection mechanism <NUM> is larger than a perimeter of a neck (not shown) of protrusion <NUM> closest to connection mechanism <NUM>. With this configuration strap <NUM> is prevented from sliding off protrusion <NUM> when wrapped around neck. One of skill in the art can appreciate that protrusion <NUM> can be any shape or size provided that strap <NUM> is prevented from sliding off protrusion <NUM> when strap <NUM> is wrapped around protrusion <NUM>.

Still referring to <FIG>, guy-line assemblies <NUM> useful in the present disclosure also provide a biasing member <NUM> used to help keep strap <NUM> wrapped around protrusion <NUM>. Exemplary biasing member <NUM> has a depressible end <NUM>, such that when worker presses depressible end <NUM>, biasing member <NUM> can slide up and down at least one length of strap <NUM>. In some examples, biasing member <NUM> moves along both an unwrapped portion <NUM> of strap <NUM> and a wrapped portion <NUM> of strap when worker presses depressible end <NUM> and slides biasing member <NUM> along strap <NUM>. Once positioned in a desirable position, worker can release pressure on depressible end <NUM> thereby securing biasing member <NUM> on strap <NUM>. In some examples, second end <NUM> of strap <NUM> is terminated with a stop <NUM>, such that strap <NUM> cannot slide through openings in biasing member <NUM>. Once strap <NUM> is wrapped around protrusion <NUM> and biasing member <NUM> is slide into place, guy-line assembly <NUM> style of connection assembly <NUM> is formed.

Referring now to <FIG>, <FIG>, in some embodiments, slot assemblies <NUM> are useful connection assemblies <NUM> in the present disclosure. In some examples, slot assembly <NUM> is selected from at least one of a T-slot assembly and a ball joint assembly. Connector <NUM> useful in slot assembly <NUM> has a distal portion <NUM> and a proximal portion <NUM>. Distal portion <NUM> of connector <NUM> is operably connected to strap <NUM>. In some embodiments, strap <NUM> is removably attached to distal portion <NUM> of connector <NUM> using one or more opening <NUM> in distal portion <NUM> through which strap <NUM> can be fed. In some embodiments, strap <NUM> is fixedly attached to or integral with distal portion <NUM> of connector <NUM> using any conventional means for such attachment or integration of hard good or soft good components.

Proximal portion <NUM> of connector <NUM> has an engagement portion <NUM>. <FIG> depicts some embodiments in which engagement portion <NUM> is T-shaped. <FIG> depict some embodiments in which engagement portion <NUM> is sphere-shaped. Engagement portion <NUM> useful in the present disclosure can have any shape or size provided that engagement portion <NUM> engages with a slot <NUM> in connection mechanism <NUM>. Slot <NUM> is configured such that it receives engagement portion <NUM> of connector <NUM>, allowing engagement portion <NUM> to slide to a terminating end <NUM> of slot <NUM> having an opening <NUM>. Opening <NUM> in terminating end <NUM> of slot <NUM> is sized such that it allows a neck <NUM> of connector <NUM> through but does not allow engagement portion <NUM> through. Once engagement portion <NUM> slides through slot <NUM> and catches at terminating end <NUM> of slot such that neck <NUM> fits through opening <NUM>, a slot assembly <NUM> style connection assembly <NUM> is created.

After occurrence of a fall, as shown in <FIG>, a worker donning fall protection harness <NUM> is suspended in a relatively upright position from a support structure <NUM> by a lanyard <NUM> operatively connected to the dorsal D-ring <NUM> of fall protection harness <NUM>. Dorsal D-ring <NUM> tends to pull the shoulder straps 401a and 401b of fall protection harness <NUM> upward relative to the worker, which places pressure on the worker's body. Pressure will likely be placed on the inner thighs of the worker by the leg straps 402a and <NUM> b of fall protection harness <NUM>. When suspended by the dorsal D-ring <NUM>, and if rescue is not imminent, the worker (if conscious) may choose to use the presently disclosed suspension trauma relief strap assembly <NUM> to reduce the risk of suspension trauma.

In operation, closure mechanism <NUM> is opened and to expose strap <NUM> within first housing <NUM>. If a pull tab is present, the pull tab is pulled to release strap <NUM> from first housing <NUM> and from the compact configuration. If a pull tab is not present, connector <NUM> or second end <NUM> of strap <NUM> is pulled to release strap <NUM> from first housing <NUM> and from the compact configuration. Connector <NUM> engaged with connection mechanism <NUM> to form a connection assembly <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM><NUM>, which results in formation of a sling. Length of the sling can be adjusted by workers before strap <NUM> and connector <NUM> are stowed in first housing <NUM>, by adjusting length of strap <NUM> during use, or a combination thereof. Worker may "stand" on sling while suspended in fall protection harness. In some examples, presently disclosed trauma relief strap assemblies <NUM> can be deployed by workers using only one hand. In some examples, presently disclosed trauma relief strap assemblies <NUM>, can be integrated into fall protection harness to avoid abrasion and snagging. In some examples, presently disclosed trauma relief strap assemblies <NUM> can provide a strap for workers to stand on rather than a connector or some other component. In some examples, presently disclosed trauma relief strap assemblies <NUM> provide any combination, including all three, of these benefits to workers at the same time.

Due to the fall, the worker is suspended by the dorsal D-ring, which pulls the shoulder straps upward and/or taut proximate the back of the worker. The sling is operatively connected to the portions of the shoulder strap being pulled by the dorsal D-ring (proximate the ends of the rear portions of the shoulder straps above the junctures with the seat strap), and when the worker "stands" on the sling, the pressure extends from the dorsal D-ring to the sling rather than to the worker. This allows for the load or the pressure to be taken off the worker's body and the other straps of the fall protection harness because the load is applied from the dorsal D-ring to the sling instead. As a result, the other straps of the fall protection harness loosen so as to not constrict the worker's body when suspended. By using the suspension relief strap assembly, the worker is able to "stand" on the provided sling to relieve the pressure from the fall protection harness and reduce the risk of suspension trauma.

Claim 1:
A fall protection harness (<NUM>, <NUM>) comprising a suspension trauma relief strap assembly (<NUM>), wherein the fall protection harness (<NUM>, <NUM>) has shoulder straps (401a, 401b), leg straps (402a, 402b), a seat strap (<NUM>), and a dorsal D-ring (<NUM>), the dorsal D-ring being operatively connected to the shoulder straps (401a, 401b) proximate a rear portion of the fall protection harness, the seat strap (<NUM>) interconnecting the shoulder straps (401a, 401b), the leg straps (402a, 402b) being operatively connected to the seat strap (<NUM>), wherein a worker donning the fall protection harness is suspended in a relatively upright position by the dorsal D-ring when a fall occurs, the dorsal D-ring pulling the fall protection harness upward relative to the worker, the fall protection harness placing pressure on the worker, wherein the suspension trauma relief strap assembly (<NUM>) comprises:
(a) a strap (<NUM>),
(b) a first housing (<NUM>) configured to hold the strap (<NUM>), wherein the strap (<NUM>) has a first end (<NUM>) and a second end (<NUM>), and wherein the first end is operably connected to the first housing and the second end includes a connector (<NUM>); and
(c) a connection mechanism (<NUM>) configured to connect with the connector (<NUM>) to form a connection assembly (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>); and
wherein the first housing (<NUM>) is integrally mounted within one side (<NUM>) of the fall protection harness (<NUM>, <NUM>) and the connection mechanism (<NUM>) is disposed on a second side (<NUM>) of the fall protection harness, characterised in
the first housing (<NUM>) being integrally mounted to the seat strap (<NUM>) where the seat strap (<NUM>) intersects with one of the shoulder straps (401a or 401b), and a first side (<NUM>) of the first housing being fixedly attached to the seat strap and a second side (<NUM>) of the first housing being fixedly or removably attached to said one shoulder strap such that the first housing is mounted substantially within the shoulder strap (401a or 401b) and the seat strap (<NUM>).