Patent ID: 8727073

Claim:
A back pad system for use in connection with a safety harness having at least two spaced back straps, comprising: a back pad having passages through which the two back straps can be passed to be crossed over one another adjacent a harness wearer's back, said back pad defining an opening between lateral sides; a connector adapted to be connected to a line or lanyard, said connector being pivotable within a range around an axis relative to said back pad said connector having opposite side members with lateral sides substantially adjacent to the back pad opening lateral sides at the pivot axis, and a bar extending between from said opposite side members, said bar being pivotally secured in said back pad opening along said axis; and a detent connection between said back pad and said connector capturing said connector in a selected upright position when said connector is manually moved to said selected upright position, wherein said connection has at least one detent member secured to said back pad in said back pad opening, said detent member being adjacent to one of the back pad opening lateral sides, and spaced a selected lateral distance from said one back pad opening lateral side when said connector is pivotably positioned at either end of its range, wherein said selected lateral distance is less than the lateral thickness of the connector side member adjacent said back pad opening one lateral side, and said detent member is laterally flexible away from said back pad opening one lateral side when a selected pivoting force is applied to said connector, whereby said detent member blocks said connector side member adjacent said back panel opening one lateral side from pivoting to thereby secure said connector when in said selected upright position at one end of said range of pivoting unless said selected force is applied to pivot said connector away from said selected upright position.