Patent Description:
As is known in the art, there exist various safety devices and arrangements that can be worn by or attached to a user to ensure the wearer's safety in certain situations. Such mechanisms come in many forms, including, but not limited to, harnesses and safety belts. Full body harnesses are widely used for lifting and lowering individuals in dangerous situations and as a primary component in a personal fall arrest system. These harnesses can also be used for work positioning, travel restriction, ladder climbing, rescue retrieval, and evacuation. While these harnesses are used mainly in an industrial setting, and particularly the construction industry where the likelihood and danger of falls from heights is both numerous and significant, a full body harness can be used in various other applications in which total suspension and support of the body must be ensured, either expectedly or unexpectedly.

While there are many variations in full body harness construction, all typically include a plurality of elongate straps that are combined to fit around a user's body. In some embodiments or aspects, a full body harness may have an attachment point (D-ring) typically positioned in a central portion of the user's back or chest, and a plurality of straps routed around predetermined portions of the user's body in such a manner as to hold or suspend the user in the event of a fall.

While a variety of full body harnesses exist in the art, there is a continued need in the art for improved harnesses. Elongated straps naturally curl at angles which frequently cause discomfort to the user and create difficulty in adjusting the straps. There is also continued need in the art for improving the management of elongated straps to prevent curling.

Examples of safety harnesses, or back plates for safety harnesses, which may be useful in understanding the claimed invention, are described in <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT>.

Generally, provided is an improved body harness having a harness back plate and an improved strap arrangement. The present invention provides a black plate for routing a pair of shoulder straps as defined in appended claim <NUM>. Also provided is a wearable body harness comprising the back plate of appended claim <NUM>.

The wearable body harness has a first shoulder strap and a second shoulder strap arranged in an X-shaped configuration and a back plate on a rear portion of the first shoulder strap and the second shoulder strap with the first shoulder strap crossing over the second shoulder strap at the back plate. The back plate includes a pair of lower guide slots, each of the lower guide slots having a first lower guide slot side and a second lower guide slot side contiguous with the first lower guide slot side and arranged at an angle relative to the first lower guide slot side and a pair of upper guide slots, each of the upper guide slots having a first upper guide slot side and a second upper guide slot side contiguous with the first upper guide slot side and arranged at an angle relative to the first upper guide slot side. A first of the pair of upper guide slots and a first of the pair of lower guide slots are configured to route a webbing material of the first shoulder strap therethrough, and a second of the pair of upper guide slots and a second of the pair of lower guide slots are configured to route the webbing material of the second shoulder strap therethrough.

The first upper guide slot side and the second upper guide slot side of each upper guide slot are arranged at an acute angle relative to each other, and the first lower guide slot side and the second lower guide slot side of each lower guide slot are arranged at an obtuse angle relative to each other.

In some non-limiting embodiments, the first lower guide slot side of each lower guide slot may be longer than the second lower guide slot side of each lower guide slot, and the first upper guide slot side of each upper guide slot may be longer than the second upper guide slot side of each upper guide slot. The first lower guide slot side of each lower guide slot may be arranged at an angle between <NUM>° and <NUM>° relative to a longitudinal axis of the back plate, and the first upper guide slot side of each upper guide slot may be arranged at an angle between <NUM>° and <NUM>° relative to a longitudinal axis of the back plate. The upper guide slots and the lower guide slots may be configured to bend the webbing material of the first and second shoulder straps in a manner so as to prevent bunching of the webbing material. The back plate may have a core and a pair of branches extending from the core in opposite directions relative to a longitudinal axis of the back plate. Each branch may extend at an angle between <NUM>° and <NUM>° relative to the longitudinal axis of the back plate.

In some non-limiting embodiments, the back plate may further include at least a pair of tabs protruding from a body of the back plate, each of the tabs having a first end connected to the body and a second free end, and the tabs may be spaced apart from each other to define a recess therebetween. At least one of the tabs may have a projection at the second end, and the projection may be spaced apart and substantially parallel or arranged at an acute angle relative to the body of the back plate. The at least a pair of tabs may also be deflectable relative to the body of the back plate.

These and other features and characteristics of the present disclosure, as well as the methods of operation and functions of the related elements of structures and the combination of parts and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of the following description and the appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts in the various figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the disclosure.

In <FIG>, like characters refer to the same components and elements, as the case may be, unless otherwise stated.

As used herein, the singular forms of "a", "an", and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Spatial or directional terms, such as "left", "right", "inner", "outer", "above", "below", and the like, relate to the disclosure as shown in the drawing figures and are not to be considered as limiting, as the disclosure can assume various alternative orientations.

All numbers and ranges used in the specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term "about". By "about" is meant plus or minus twenty-five percent of the stated value, such as plus or minus ten percent of the stated value. However, this should not be considered as limiting to any analysis of the values under the doctrine of equivalents.

Unless otherwise indicated, all ranges or ratios disclosed herein are to be understood to encompass the beginning and ending values and any and all subranges or subratios subsumed therein. For example, a stated range or ratio of "<NUM> to <NUM>" should be considered to include any and all subranges or subratios between (and inclusive of) the minimum value of <NUM> and the maximum value of <NUM>; that is, all subranges or subratios beginning with a minimum value of <NUM> or more and ending with a maximum value of <NUM> or less. The ranges and/or ratios disclosed herein represent the average values over the specified range and/or ratio.

The terms "first", "second", and the like are not intended to refer to any particular order or chronology, but refer to different conditions, properties, or elements.

The term "at least" is synonymous with "greater than or equal to".

The term "not greater than" is synonymous with "less than or equal to".

As used herein, "at least one of" is synonymous with "one or more of'. For example, the phrase "at least one of A, B, and C" means any one of A, B, or C, or any combination of any two or more of A, B, or C. For example, "at least one of A, B, and C" includes A alone; or B alone; or C alone; or A and B; or A and C; or B and C; or all of A, B, and C.

As used herein, the terms "parallel" or "substantially parallel" mean a relative angle as between two objects (if extended to theoretical intersection), such as elongated objects and including reference lines, that is from <NUM>° to <NUM>°, or from <NUM>° to <NUM>°, or from <NUM>° to <NUM>°, or from <NUM>° to <NUM>°, or from <NUM>° to <NUM>°, or from <NUM>° to <NUM>°, or from <NUM>° to <NUM>°, inclusive of the recited values.

As used herein, the terms "perpendicular" or "substantially perpendicular" mean a relative angle as between two objects at their real or theoretical intersection is from <NUM>° to <NUM>°, or from <NUM>° to <NUM>°, or from <NUM>° to <NUM>°, or from <NUM>° to <NUM>°, or from <NUM>° to <NUM>°, or from <NUM>° to <NUM>°, or from <NUM>° to <NUM>°, inclusive of the recited values.

The discussion of the disclosure may describe certain features as being "particularly" or "preferably" within certain limitations (e.g., "preferably", "more preferably", or "even more preferably", within certain limitations). It is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited to these particular or preferred limitations but encompasses the entire scope of the disclosure.

In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, and with reference to <FIG>, the present disclosure is directed to a safety harness <NUM> (hereinafter referred to as "harness <NUM>") used in a fall protection system. The harness <NUM> has a plurality of straps that are arranged to support the user's body in an event of a fall. The harness <NUM> has a harness connection arrangement configured for releasably coupling at least a pair of straps of the harness <NUM>.

With continued reference to <FIG>, the harness <NUM> has at least two leg straps <NUM> configured to attach around a user's legs below a user's groin area. When attached, the leg straps <NUM> loop around or encircle each of the user's legs. Each leg strap <NUM> has a first end 102a that is removably attachable to a second end 102b via a connector <NUM> that permits removable attachment of the first end 102a to the second end 102b of each leg strap <NUM>. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the at least one connector <NUM> and/or the leg strap <NUM> may have at least one adjustment mechanism <NUM> configured for adjusting the length of each leg strap <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the adjustment mechanism <NUM> is connected to the second end 102b, but the adjustment mechanism <NUM> may instead be connected to the first end 102a. Each leg strap <NUM> is connected to a seat strap <NUM> at an intermediate portion 102c of the leg strap <NUM> between the first end 102a and the second end 102b. The seat strap <NUM> may extend across a user's lower back, buttocks, or an upper portion of the leg when the harness <NUM> is in use, depending on the user's size. Each leg strap <NUM> may be formed from a substantially flat webbing material typically used in harness construction, such as rayon, polyester, nylon or other materials known to those having skill in the art.

When applying a leg strap <NUM> to a leg of a user, the intermediate portion 102c may wrap around the back of a user's leg at or below the buttocks. The first end 102a and the second end 102b may wrap around the front of a user's leg and connect at a point on the user's thigh by way of the connector <NUM>. The adjustment mechanism <NUM> can then be used to adjust the length of the leg strap <NUM> and increase or decrease the tightness of the leg strap <NUM> around the user's leg. It is contemplated that the connector <NUM> may be any suitable connector known to those having skill in the art. For example, the connector <NUM> may be a buckle-type or a belt-type connector. It is further contemplated that the adjustment mechanism <NUM> may be any suitable adjustment mechanism known to those having skill in the art. For example, the adjustment mechanism <NUM> may be a sliding adjustment buckle.

With continued reference to <FIG>, the harness <NUM> further has a pair of shoulder straps <NUM> configured to extend over at least a portion of the user's shoulders. The shoulder straps <NUM> may have a first shoulder strap 110a and a second shoulder strap 110b arranged to overlap one another in an X-shaped configuration, with the shoulder straps 110a, 110b configured to be connected at the user's chest area via a chest connector <NUM>. Like the connector <NUM>, the chest connector <NUM> may be any suitable connector, such as a buckle, known to those having skill in the art.

In this manner, the shoulder straps 110a, 110b are configured to cross over each other at a rear portion of the harness <NUM> worn on the user's back. As described herein, the harness <NUM> may have a back plate <NUM> through which the first shoulder strap 110a and the second shoulder strap 110b can be routed to maintain the first shoulder strap 110a and the second shoulder strap 110b in the X-shaped configuration. The first shoulder strap 110a may cross a longitudinal axis of the back plate <NUM> and the second shoulder strap 110b when forming an X-shaped configuration. The second shoulder strap 110b may also cross the longitudinal axis of the back plate <NUM> as well as the first shoulder strap 110a. In some embodiments or aspects, neither the first shoulder strap 110a nor the second shoulder strap 110b may cross the longitudinal axis of the back plate <NUM> or the other shoulder strap. In other embodiments or aspects, the second shoulder strap 110b may not cross the longitudinal axis of the back plate <NUM> or the first shoulder strap 110a. In these embodiments, the first and second shoulder straps 110a, 110b may stay on one half of a user's body.

After the routing through the back plate <NUM>, the shoulder straps 110a, 110b may extend downward and beyond the back plate <NUM> in generally opposite directions, maintaining the X-shaped configuration, until the first shoulder strap 110a and the second shoulder strap 110b reach the first ends 102a of the leg straps <NUM>. The first and second shoulder straps 110a, 110b may either connect to the first ends 102a of the leg straps, or the first ends 102a of the leg straps may be a distal end of the first and second shoulder straps 110a, 110b. Like the leg straps <NUM>, the shoulder straps 110a, 110b may be formed from a substantially flat webbing material typically used in harness construction, such as rayon, polyester, nylon or other materials known to those having skill in the art.

As further shown in <FIG>, the harness <NUM> may have a back strap <NUM> connecting a substantially intermediate portion of the first shoulder strap 110a with a substantially intermediate portion of the second shoulder strap 110b. The back strap <NUM> may extend across a user's back to provide support and to maintain a set distance between the first shoulder strap 110a and the second shoulder strap 110b as they extend beyond the back plate <NUM> and down and along a user's back. The first and second shoulder straps 110a, 110b may be connectable together at a front portion of the harness <NUM> in an area of the user's chest. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the first and second shoulder straps 110a, 110b may have at least one connection arrangement <NUM> or chest connector, such as a buckle, configured to releasably connect the first and second shoulder straps 110a, 110b to each other.

As further shown in <FIG>, the harness <NUM> has an anchor element, such as a D-ring <NUM>, for connecting at least a portion of the shoulder straps 110a, 110b to a line fixed to an attachment, anchor point, or to a personal fall limiter device. The D-ring <NUM> has a frame defining at least one opening through which a clip, such as a carabiner, a lanyard, or other rope or line, can be secured to connect the harness <NUM> to the line or the personal fall limiter device.

With reference to <FIG>, a detailed rear view of a portion of the harness <NUM> shows the back plate <NUM> in accordance with some non-limiting embodiments or aspects of the present disclosure. The back plate <NUM> is configured to route the first and second shoulder straps 110a, 110b across one another such that the first and second shoulder straps 110a, 110b have an X-shaped configuration. The back plate <NUM> has a body <NUM> having a plurality of openings <NUM> configured for routing at least a portion of the first and second shoulder straps 110a, 110b through the back plate <NUM>. The back plate <NUM> has the D-ring <NUM> connected thereto in a manner such that the first and second shoulder straps 110a, 110b are routed to prevent removal of the D-ring <NUM> from the back plate <NUM>. The D-ring <NUM> may be connected to a personal fall limiter (PFL) <NUM> or a lanyard to allow the back plate <NUM> and harness <NUM> to be connected to a fixed anchor point.

As shown in <FIG>, the shoulder straps 110a, 110b are routed through similar pathways through the openings <NUM> of the back plate <NUM>. The first and second shoulder straps 110a, 110b are routed through the back plate <NUM> by weaving through a plurality of pathways defined by the openings <NUM>. These pathways keep the shoulder straps 110a, 110b neatly organized across the back plate <NUM> and prevent undesirable tangling or bunching of the shoulder straps 110a, 110b across a user's back.

With reference to <FIG>, the body <NUM> of the back plate <NUM> has a recess <NUM>. The recess <NUM> may be defined between a pair of tabs 208a, 208b protruding from the body <NUM> and may be used for receiving at least a portion of the D-ring <NUM> or other attachment. The recess <NUM> is positioned between the lower guide slots 224a, 224b and the upper guide slots 226a, 226b (shown in <FIG>). As shown in <FIG>, each of the tabs 208a, 208b has a first end 238a, 238b connected to the body <NUM> of the back plate <NUM> and a second, free end 240a, 240b opposite the first end. The second ends 240a, 240b of the tabs 208a, 208b are arranged opposite one another with the space <NUM> defined therebetween. In some embodiments or aspects, the tabs 208a, 208b may be non-removably connected to the body <NUM> of the back plate <NUM>. For example, the tabs 208a, 208b may be monolithically formed with the body <NUM>, such as by being molded with the body <NUM> as a single piece so that first ends 238a, 238b are integral with the body <NUM>. In other embodiments or aspects, the tabs 208a, 208b are formed as a separate component from the body <NUM> and are removably or non-removably connected to the body <NUM>.

The tabs 208a, 208b may be deflectable to widen the space <NUM> and allow insertion of the D-ring <NUM> into the recess <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the first and second shoulder straps 110a, 110b are routed over the tabs 208a, 208b to prevent removal of the D-ring <NUM> from the recess <NUM> through the space <NUM>.

At least one of the tabs 208a, 208b, such as the first tab 208a, has a projection <NUM> that is spaced apart from the body <NUM> of the back plate <NUM> by a distance D. Distance D is configured to be larger than a width of a connector <NUM> (shown in <FIG>) used for connecting the PFL <NUM> to the harness <NUM>. As discussed herein, the projection <NUM> may be arranged substantially parallel with the body <NUM>. In other embodiments or aspects, the projection <NUM> is arranged at an obtuse or an acute angle relative to the body <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the projection <NUM> spaces the first and second shoulder straps 110a, 110b from the first tab 208a such that a clearance space <NUM> is formed between the first and second shoulder straps 110a, 110b and the first tab 208a. The clearance space <NUM> is configured to receive the connector <NUM>, which is shown as a carabiner in <FIG>.

With reference to <FIG>, the back plate <NUM> is shown without the first and second shoulder straps 110a, 110b. The back plate <NUM> has a generally Y-shaped configuration with a core <NUM> and a pair of branches 220a, 220b branching away from the core <NUM>. In use, the back plate <NUM> is arranged such that the branches 220a, 220b are pointed in an upward direction when worn by the user. In some embodiments or aspects, the branches 220a, 220b are arranged at an angle α relative to a central longitudinal axis <NUM> of the back plate <NUM>. Angle α may be between <NUM>° and <NUM>°. It is contemplated that angle α may be outside of the <NUM>-<NUM>° range so long as the first and second shoulder straps 110a, 110b remain aligned over a user's shoulders during use.

Each of the branches 220a, 220b has the plurality of upper openings <NUM> formed as elongated slots extending through the body <NUM> of the back plate <NUM>. Similarly, the core <NUM> has a pair of lower openings <NUM> at its lower end for receiving the first and second shoulder straps 110a, 110b. The lower openings <NUM> are configured for routing at least a portion of the first and second shoulder straps 110a, 110b through the back plate <NUM> such that the first and second shoulder straps 110a, 110b are arranged in a direction extending from the central longitudinal axis <NUM> to an angle similar to angle α. In other words, the first and second shoulder straps 110a, 110b are arranged from the branches 220a, 220b in a direction generally extending along the user's spine and then toward the user's waist in a direction as dictated by the lower openings <NUM>.

Due to the angle of the branches 220a, 220b relative to the longitudinal axis <NUM> and the core <NUM>, the first and second shoulder straps 110a, 110b are bent in directions that may cause the webbing of the straps to curl, bunch up, or pucker. In order to eliminate such curling, bunching, or puckering of the webbing of the first and second shoulder straps 110a, 110b, the back plate <NUM> has a pair of lower guide slots 224a, 224b extending through the core <NUM> and a pair of upper guide slots 226a, 226b extending through the branches 220a, 220b. The lower and upper guide slots 224a, 224b, 226a, 226b are configured to receive first and second shoulder straps 110a, 110b and to facilitate bending of the webbing of the first and second shoulder straps 110a, 110b in a manner to prevent the bunching or puckering of the webbing material. This arrangement of guide slots 224a, 224b, 226a, 226b manages to keep the first and second shoulder straps 110a, 110b smooth when traversing along the back plate <NUM> and along a user's body.

With continued reference to <FIG>, the lower guide slots 224a, 224b are positioned below the tabs 208a, 208b defining the recess <NUM>. A first lower guide slot 224a is configured to receive the first shoulder strap 110a, while the second lower guide slot 224b is configured to receive the second shoulder strap 110b. Each of the lower guide slots 224a, 224b has a first side <NUM> having a first length L<NUM> and a second side <NUM> having a second length L<NUM>. The first and second sides <NUM>, <NUM> are connected to each other and arranged to form a substantially L-shaped arrangement. In some embodiments or aspects, the first length L<NUM> may be longer than the second length L<NUM>. In other embodiments or aspects, the first length L<NUM> may be equal to or shorter than the second length L<NUM>. The first side <NUM> and the second side <NUM> define an angle β<NUM> therebetween. In some aspects not part of the invention, the angle β<NUM> may be between <NUM>° and <NUM>°. In the claimed invention the angle β<NUM> is an obtuse angle. The first sides <NUM> of the first and second lower guide slots 224a, 224b may be arranged at an angle γ<NUM> relative to the longitudinal axis <NUM>. In some embodiments or aspects, the angle γ<NUM> may be between <NUM>° and <NUM>°. In some embodiments or aspects, the second side <NUM> may define an angle of <NUM>° to <NUM>° relative to a line that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis <NUM>. Each of the first and second sides <NUM>, <NUM> has a width that is wider than a thickness of the webbing of the first and second shoulder straps 110a, 110b.

The upper guide slots 226a, 226b are positioned above the tabs 208a, 208b defining the recess <NUM>. A first upper guide slot 226a is configured to receive the second shoulder strap 110b, while the second upper guide slot 226b is configured to receive the first shoulder strap 110a, with the first and second shoulder straps 110a, 110b overlapping and crossing over each other and between the lower guide slots 224a, 224b and the upper guide slots 226a, 226b. Each of the upper guide slots 226a, 226b has a first side <NUM> having a first length L<NUM> and a second side <NUM> having a second length L<NUM>. The first and second sides <NUM>, <NUM> are connected to each other and arranged to form a substantially L-shaped arrangement. In some embodiments or aspects, the first length L<NUM> may be longer than the second length L<NUM>. In other embodiments or aspects, the first length L<NUM> may be equal to or shorter than the second length L<NUM>. The first side <NUM> and the second side <NUM> define an angle βz therebetween. In some aspects not part of the invention, the angle βz may be between <NUM>° and <NUM>°. In the claimed invention angle β<NUM> is an acute angle. The first sides <NUM> of the first and second upper guide slots 226a, 226b may be arranged at an angle γ<NUM> relative to the longitudinal axis <NUM>. In some embodiments or aspects, the angle γ<NUM> may be between <NUM>° and <NUM>°. Each of the first and second sides <NUM>, <NUM> has a width that is wider than a thickness of the webbing of the first and second shoulder straps 110a, 110b. The upper guide slots 226a, 226b may be arranged such that the second side <NUM> of each slot is positioned opposite the second side <NUM> of the lower guide slots 224a, 224b. In some embodiments, the back plate <NUM> may also have slots <NUM> for receiving other attachments therethrough.

As shown in <FIG>, at least a portion of the back plate <NUM>, such as the tabs 208a, 208b, may have a locking slot <NUM> for receiving a clip <NUM>. The clip <NUM> is configured to extend over the space <NUM>, thereby preventing removal of the D-ring <NUM> or similar attachment. The clip <NUM> has hooks 245a, 245b configured to engage with the locking slot <NUM>, thus permitting the clip <NUM> to be removably connected to the locking slot <NUM> to permit removal of the D-ring <NUM> when the clip <NUM> is removed. The clip <NUM> may have hooks 245a, 245b configured to engage at least a portion of the locking slot <NUM> in order to remain in place over the space <NUM>. The hooks may engage and disengage the locking slot <NUM> by squeezing the clip <NUM>. This permits the clip <NUM> to slide into and out of the locking slot <NUM>. When the locking clip <NUM> is inside the slot, the squeezing may cease allowing the hooks 245a, 245b to press against the locking slot <NUM> in a frictional fit. The hooks 245a, 245b may also hook around a locking peg (not shown) within the slot <NUM> permitting the clip <NUM> to be locked in place within the locking slot <NUM>. The locking clip <NUM> may then be squeezed and removed in a manner opposite of its insertion in order to no longer obstruct the space <NUM>.

In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, such as shown in <FIG>, the back plate <NUM> may have a back pad <NUM>. The back pad <NUM> may be made from a soft material, such as padding or foam, to cushion the user's back from the back plate <NUM> and the first and second shoulder straps 110a, 110b. The back pad <NUM> is positioned between the back plate <NUM> and the user so as to prevent direct contact between the back plate <NUM> and the user. The back pad <NUM> may take the same generally Y-shaped configuration as the core <NUM> of the back plate <NUM>. However, the back pad <NUM> is larger than the back plate <NUM> so as to prevent contact between the back plate <NUM> and the user if the back plate <NUM> shifts during use. A back pad <NUM> larger than the back plate <NUM> may also prevent part of the user's shoulders from contacting portions of the first and second shoulder straps 110a, 110b. For example, the back pad <NUM> may be positioned between the user's back and the first and second shoulder straps 110a, 110b.

With reference to <FIG>, the shoulder straps <NUM>, such as the first and second shoulder straps 110a, 110b, have a pre-formed fold <NUM> configured to position the first and second shoulder straps 110a, 110b away from the user's neck. Due to the flexible nature of the webbing of the first and second shoulder straps 110a, 110b, the straps 110a, 110b have a natural tendency to take a most direct path between the rear portion of the harness <NUM> at the back plate <NUM> and a front portion of the harness <NUM> at the connector <NUM>, thereby interfering with the user's neck (see <FIG>). The pre-formed fold <NUM> positions the first and second shoulder straps 110a, 110b away from the user's neck (see <FIG>), thereby increasing the user's comfort while wearing the harness <NUM>.

With continued reference to <FIG>, wherein only the first shoulder strap 110a is shown for clarity of illustration, the fold <NUM> is formed by folding the first shoulder strap 110a over itself between a first end <NUM> and a second end <NUM>. The first shoulder strap 110a has a first section <NUM> and a second section <NUM> extending in opposite directions from the fold <NUM> as the first shoulder strap 110a sits atop a user's shoulder. The fold <NUM> may be formed by folding the first shoulder strap 110a such that a top surface <NUM> of a first section <NUM> abuts a top surface <NUM> of a second section <NUM> of the first shoulder strap 110a. The folded sections may be stitched together by stitching <NUM>. The stitching <NUM> may extend across the first shoulder strap 110a in the direction of the user's neck, along the first shoulder strap 110a in the direction of the front side and backside of the user, or, as shown in <FIG>, in both directions. The first section <NUM> and the second section <NUM> define an angle σ therebetween. In some embodiments or aspects, the angle σ may be between <NUM>° and <NUM>°, such as <NUM>°. The first section <NUM> may have the same or different length than the second section <NUM>. With reference to <FIG>, the shoulder straps <NUM>, such as the first and second shoulder straps 110a, 110b with the pre-formed fold <NUM>, are configured to be positioned on the user's shoulders such that pre-formed fold <NUM> is positioned away from the user's neck.

Claim 1:
A back plate (<NUM>) for routing a pair of shoulder straps (110a, 100b) of a body harness, the back plate (<NUM>) comprising:
a body (<NUM>) comprising a core (<NUM>) and a pair of branches (220a, 220b) extending from the core (<NUM>) in opposite directions relative to a longitudinal axis (<NUM>) of the body (<NUM>);
a pair of lower guide slots (224a, 224b) extending through the core (<NUM>), each of the lower guide slots (224a, 224b) having a first lower guide slot side (<NUM>) and a second lower guide slot side (<NUM>) contiguous with the first lower guide slot side (<NUM>) and arranged at an angle relative to the first lower guide slot side (<NUM>); and
a pair of upper guide slots (226a, 226b) extending through the pair of branches (220a, 220b), each of the upper guide slots (226a, 226b) having a first upper guide slot side (<NUM>) and a second upper guide slot side (<NUM>) contiguous with the first upper guide slot side (<NUM>) and arranged at an angle relative to the first upper guide slot side (<NUM>),
wherein a first of the pair of upper guide slots (226a) and a first of the pair of lower guide slots (224a) are configured to route a webbing material of a first shoulder strap (110a) therethrough, and
wherein a second of the pair of upper guide slots (226b) and a second of the pair of lower guide slots (224b) are configured to route the webbing material of a second shoulder strap (110b) therethrough,
characterized in that:
the first upper guide slot side (<NUM>) and the second upper guide slot side (<NUM>) of each upper guide slot (226a, 226b) are arranged at an acute angle relative to each other; and
the first lower guide slot side (<NUM>) and the second lower guide slot side (<NUM>) of each lower guide slot (224a, 224b) are arranged at an obtuse angle relative to each other.