Patent Description:
Safety harness are commonly used as part of a fall protection system for persons subjected to the potential of a fall from a height. At a workplace, full-body safety harnesses are required when working on platforms that are 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. While working on such platforms or in such an environment, the workers may be required to move around, stand, squat or lean and with such actions the harness can become stiff and/or offer resistance to the movement. At times, the workers may feel uncomfortable while performing their daily activities in such a safety harness. <CIT> discloses a strap buckle for a safety harness.

In accordance with various illustrated embodiments, a safety apparatus includes a full body harness and a connector attached to the full body harness to enable a mobility of a user wearing the full body harness. The connector includes a first plate defining a first plurality of slits, a second plate defining a second plurality of slits, and a fastener. The fastener facilitates a coupling of the first plate with the second plate, such that the first plate and the second plate are rotatable with respect to each other. The first plate includes a first plurality of slits to receive a first harness, and a second plurality of slits in the second plate is configured to receive a second harness that is separate from the first harness. Further, the first plate is identical to the second plate.

Implementations include one or more of the following features. The connector where each of the first plate and the second plate includes a plurality of arcuate portions at a peripheral region of the first plate and the second plate. The first plate may include a first rib, such that the first rib extends diametrically between the plurality of arcuate portions of the first plate, and where the second plate may include a second rib, such that the second rib extends between the plurality of arcuate portions of the second plate. The first rib and the second rib define a first cavity and a second cavity respectively, where the first cavity and the second cavity are configured to receive the fastener. A first surface of both, the first rib and the second rib define a downward slope towards distal ends of the first rib and the second rib from the first cavity and second cavity respectively. The plurality of arcuate portions on the first plate define a first channel and a second channel, such that the first channel and the second channel are configured to facilitate receiving of the first harness. The plurality of arcuate portions on the second plate define a third channel and a fourth channel, such that the third channel and the fourth channel are configured to facilitate receiving of the second harness.

Terminology used in this patent is not meant to be limiting insofar as devices described herein, or portions thereof, may be attached or utilized in other orientations.

The phrases "in one embodiment," "according to one embodiment," "in some embodiments," and the like generally mean that the particular feature, structure, or characteristic following the phrase may be included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, and may be included in more than one embodiment of the present disclosure (importantly, such phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment).

<FIG> illustrates an embodiment of a safety apparatus <NUM> having a conventional, commercially available full-body harness. Safety harness <NUM> can include an upper torso portion comprising first shoulder strap <NUM> and a second shoulder strap <NUM>, respectively, for extending over the shoulders of a user and a multi-component chest strap (not shown) for extending over and/or wrapping around the chest of the user. A first end of each of the first shoulder strap <NUM> and second shoulder strap <NUM> may extend down over the chest of the user and the back of the user and couple with each other by means of a connector <NUM> at a waist of the user. The first shoulder strap <NUM> and the second shoulder strap <NUM> can crisscross each other at the connector <NUM> and extend over to one or more leg straps. The connector <NUM> enables the adjustment of a length of the first shoulder strap <NUM> and second shoulder strap <NUM> when the user is performing different movements which may involve, walking, stretching, squatting, etc. The connector facilitates flexion and/or extension of the first shoulder strap <NUM> and the second shoulder strap <NUM>. The connector <NUM>, may be made either from a polymer, a metal or an alloy, and is capable of bearing the stress and strain associated with the forces acting through the first shoulder strap <NUM> and the second shoulder strap <NUM>. Moreover, the connector <NUM> can withstand the temperature variations occurring in the nature without deforming or breaking.

Based on the movement by the user, the connector <NUM> may move in a first direction <NUM> of the first shoulder strap <NUM> or in a second direction <NUM> of the second shoulder strap <NUM> in order to accommodate users of various shapes and sizes. Further, the connector <NUM> may rotate in such a manner which enables a variation of an angle <NUM> between the first shoulder strap <NUM> and the second shoulder strap <NUM>. Such movements can ease the working of the user and moreover, enables the harness to be worn by workers of different shapes, sizes, height, weight, etc..

<FIG> illustrates an embodiment of the connector <NUM>. The connector <NUM> can include a first plate <NUM>, a second plate <NUM>, and a fastener <NUM>. The first plate <NUM> can be similar or even identical to the second plate <NUM>. Both, the first plate <NUM> and the second plate <NUM> can have a first surface <NUM> and a second surface <NUM>. The first plate <NUM> can include a first slit 210a and a second slit 210b, a first arcuate portion <NUM>, a second arcuate portion <NUM>, and a first rib <NUM>. The first arcuate portion <NUM> and the second arcuate portion <NUM> can be integral to the first plate <NUM> and can be positioned on the periphery of the first plate <NUM>. The first arcuate portion <NUM> and the second arcuate portion <NUM> are an extension of the first plate <NUM> over the first surface <NUM> along an axis parallel to a central axis <NUM>. Further, the first arcuate portion <NUM> and the second arcuate portion <NUM> can be positioned opposite of each other. The second plate <NUM> may include a third slit 212a, a fourth slit 212b, a third arcuate portion <NUM>, a fourth arcuate portion <NUM>, and a second rib <NUM>. A variation in the width of the slits enables an appropriate friction of the connector with the first shoulder strap <NUM> and/or the second shoulder strap <NUM>. In an embodiment, the fastener <NUM> may include a nut <NUM> and a bolt <NUM>. In some embodiments, the fastener <NUM> may be a screw or a rivet. The fastener <NUM> can facilitate a rotatable coupling of the first plate <NUM> to the second plate <NUM> such that the first plate <NUM> may freely rotate with respect to the second plate <NUM>. The first plate <NUM> can be coupled to the second plate <NUM> such that the first surface <NUM> of the first plate <NUM> abuts the first surface <NUM> of the second plate <NUM>. The first arcuate portion <NUM> and the second arcuate portion <NUM> can have a thickness greater than a thickness of a peripheral region of the first plate along the central axis <NUM> that is perpendicular to the first surface <NUM>. The first rib <NUM> diametrically extends between the first arcuate portion <NUM> and the second arcuate portion <NUM>. Further, the first slit 210a and the second slit 210b are defined on either side of the first rib <NUM>. The first rib <NUM> defines a first cylindrical cavity <NUM> to facilitate an insertion of the fastener <NUM> into the first cylindrical cavity <NUM> along an axis parallel to the central axis <NUM> of the first cylindrical cavity <NUM>. The first rib <NUM> includes a first rib surface <NUM> and a second rib surface <NUM>. The first rib <NUM> is positioned in such a manner that the second rib surface <NUM> of the first rib <NUM> is offset from the second surface <NUM> of the first plate <NUM> along the central axis <NUM> of the first cylindrical cavity <NUM>. The first slit 210a and second slit 210b are defined on either side of first rib <NUM>. More specifically, the first slit 210a and the second slit 210b are defined between the first rib <NUM> and the peripheral regions of the first plate <NUM>.

The second rib <NUM> diametrically extends between the third arcuate portion <NUM> and the fourth arcuate portion <NUM>. The second rib <NUM> defines a second cylindrical cavity <NUM> to facilitate an insertion of the fastener <NUM> into the second cylindrical cavity along an axis parallel to the central axis <NUM> of the second cylindrical cavity <NUM>. The second rib <NUM> includes a third rib surface <NUM> and a fourth rib surface <NUM>. The second rib <NUM> is positioned in such a manner that the fourth rib surface <NUM> of the second rib <NUM> is offset from the fourth surface <NUM> of the second plate <NUM> along the central axis <NUM> of the second cylindrical cavity <NUM>. The third slit 212a and fourth slit 212b are defined on either side of the second rib <NUM>. More specifically, the third slit 212a and the fourth slit 212b are defined between the second rib <NUM> and the peripheral regions of the second plate <NUM>.

The first plate <NUM> and the second plate <NUM> are coupled such that the first cylindrical cavity <NUM> of the first plate <NUM> overlaps the second cylindrical cavity <NUM> of the second plate <NUM> and both the cylindrical cavities have a common central axis. Once the common central axis is achieved, the fastener <NUM> may be inserted that enables the first plate <NUM> and the second plate <NUM> to be rotatably coupled. During operation, when a user wears the full body harness <NUM>, the connector enables a manual adjustment of position of the connector <NUM> on the first shoulder strap <NUM> and the second shoulder strap <NUM>. In an example embodiment, the connector <NUM>, by means of rotation of the first plate <NUM> and the second plate <NUM> with each other, enables a variation of the angle <NUM> between the first shoulder strap <NUM> and the second shoulder strap <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an example of the first surface <NUM> of the first plate <NUM>. An arc on the first surface <NUM> of the peripheral region of the first plate <NUM>, between a first edge <NUM> of the first arcuate portion <NUM> and a third edge <NUM> of the second arcuate portion <NUM>, defines a first channel <NUM>. The first channel <NUM> is configured to receive a webbing. An arc on the first surface <NUM> of the first plate <NUM>, between the second edge <NUM> of the first arcuate portion <NUM> and a fourth edge <NUM> of the second arcuate portion <NUM>, defines a second channel <NUM>. The second channel <NUM> is configured to receive a webbing. The first channel <NUM> is configured to receive the first shoulder strap <NUM> and facilitate a passage of the first shoulder strap <NUM> through the first slit 210a and over the second surface of the first rib <NUM>. Thereafter, the first shoulder strap <NUM> may pass through the second slit 210b and over the second channel <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an embodiment of the second surface <NUM> of the first plate <NUM>. The first rib <NUM> is positioned in such a manner that the second rib surface <NUM> of the first rib <NUM> is at an offset <NUM> from the second surface <NUM> of the first plate <NUM> along the central axis <NUM> of the first cylindrical cavity <NUM>. The offset <NUM> allows an easy passage of the first shoulder strap <NUM> over the second surface of the first rib <NUM>. The first rib <NUM> includes a counterbore <NUM> concentric to the first cylindrical cavity <NUM> defined on the first rib <NUM>. The counterbore facilitates positioning of a nut or a head of the fastener <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a side view of the first plate <NUM>. In an exemplary embodiment, the first surface of the first rib <NUM> includes a first downward slope from the first cylindrical cavity <NUM> towards the first arcuate portion <NUM>. The first surface of the first rib <NUM> includes a second downward slope from the first cylindrical cavity <NUM> towards the second arcuate portion <NUM>. The first downward slope and the second downward slope reduce the friction between the first plate <NUM> and the second plate <NUM> when coupled together by means of a fastener <NUM>. The first downward slope and the second downward slope create an offset. In an example embodiment, the first plate <NUM> may be coupled to the second plate <NUM> by the fastener <NUM>. The offset enables a free rotation of the first plate <NUM> with respect to the second plate <NUM> along an axis defined by the fastener <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a schematic view of the connector <NUM> with harness. The connector <NUM> includes a first plate <NUM> and a second plate <NUM>. In an exemplary embodiment, the first shoulder strap <NUM> passes through the first plate <NUM>, and the second shoulder strap passes through the second plate <NUM>. The first plate <NUM> and the second plate <NUM> are coupled together by means of a fastener <NUM>. In an embodiment, the connector <NUM> facilitates the adjustment of the first shoulder strap <NUM> and the second shoulder strap <NUM>. Further, the connector enables the adjustment of an angle between the first shoulder strap <NUM> and the second shoulder strap <NUM> along a first direction <NUM> and the second direction <NUM>, respectively. In an alternate embodiment, the first shoulder strap <NUM> includes a first webbing <NUM> and a second webbing <NUM>, and the second shoulder strap <NUM> may have a third webbing <NUM> and a fourth webbing <NUM>, where the connector <NUM> enables the adjustment of the angle <NUM> between the first webbing <NUM> and the third webbing <NUM>, as illustrated in the <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates an alternate embodiment of a safety harness <NUM>. Safety harness <NUM> includes a connector <NUM>, a plurality of webbings including a first webbing <NUM>, a second webbing <NUM>, a third webbing <NUM>, and a fourth webbing <NUM>. In an example embodiment, the plurality of webbings are separate from each other. The connector <NUM> includes a first plate <NUM>, a second plate <NUM>, wherein the first plate <NUM> and the second plate <NUM> are rotatably coupled together by means of the connector <NUM>. The connector <NUM> enables the adjustment of the angle between the plurality of webbings such that users of different shapes and sizes may wear and operate the harness with ease. The connector <NUM> is identical to the connector <NUM>, with the only the difference being the geometrical shape. The connector <NUM> includes all the elements of the connector <NUM>. In an example embodiment, the first webbing <NUM>, the second webbing <NUM>, the third webbing <NUM>, and the fourth webbing <NUM> may be connected to separate slits of the first plate <NUM> and the second plate <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a sectional view of the connector <NUM>. The connector <NUM> includes a first plate <NUM>, a second plate <NUM>. The first plate <NUM> includes a first cylindrical cavity <NUM> configured to receive a fastener (not shown herein). The second plate <NUM> includes a second cylindrical cavity <NUM> configured to receive the fastener. The first plate <NUM> is rotatably coupled to the second plate <NUM> by means of the fastener (not shown herein) similar to the fastener <NUM> illustrated in the <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates an example embodiment of the first plate <NUM> of the connector <NUM>. The first plate <NUM> may be made from a metal, a polymeric material or an alloy. In an embodiment, the first plate <NUM> may have any geometrical shape, such as a circular, oval, square or a rectangular shape.

<FIG> illustrates an example embodiment of the second plate <NUM> of the connector <NUM>. The second plate <NUM> may be made from a metal, a polymeric material or an alloy. In an embodiment, the second plate <NUM> may have any geometrical shape, such as a circular, oval, square or a rectangular shape.

<FIG> illustrates an example embodiment of the first plate <NUM> of the connector <NUM>. In an example embodiment, the first channel <NUM> and the second channel <NUM> may be a slit at the peripheral region of the first plate <NUM>, such that the slit is perpendicular to the central axis <NUM>. The slit facilitates easy passage of the first shoulder strap <NUM> therethrough. Moreover, the slit shape of the channel <NUM> and second channel <NUM> hinders development of any frictional resistance between the straps associated with the first plate <NUM> and the second plate <NUM> of the connector <NUM>. In some embodiments, the first cylindrical cavity <NUM> on the first rib <NUM> may include an annular bead. In some embodiments, the first rib <NUM> may not include any downward slope.

Claim 1:
A safety apparatus (<NUM>) comprising:
a connector (<NUM>), the connector comprising:
a first plate (<NUM>) defining a first plurality of slits (210a, 210b);
a second plate (<NUM>) defining a second plurality of slits (212a, 212b); and
a fastener (<NUM>) that facilitates a coupling of the first plate with the second plate, such that the first plate and the second plate are rotatable with respect to each other,
a first strap (<NUM>),
wherein the first strap is configured to move across the first plurality of slits; and
a second strap (<NUM>),
wherein the second strap is configured to move across the second plurality of slits, wherein the first strap is different from the second strap,
wherein each of the first plate (<NUM>) and the second plate (<NUM>) comprises a plurality of arcuate portions at peripheral regions of the plate (<NUM>, <NUM>) concerned,
wherein the plurality of arcuate portions (<NUM>, <NUM>) on the first plate (<NUM>) define a first channel (<NUM>) and a second channel (<NUM>), such that the first channel (<NUM>) and the second channel (<NUM>) are configured to facilitate receiving of the first strap, and
wherein the plurality of arcuate portions (<NUM>, <NUM>) on the second plate (<NUM>) define a third channel and a fourth channel, such that the third channel and the fourth channel are configured to facilitate receiving of the second strap.