UTILITY BELT

• US 20150231422A1
• Filed: 02/13/2015
• Published: 08/20/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 02/19/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: DB Industries LLC (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: DB Industries LLC (3M Company)
• Inventors: PERNER, Judd J.
• Granted Patent: US 10,016,633 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 35/0012 Sit harnesses
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 35/0037 Attachments for lifelines and lanyards lifelines, lanyards A62B35/0043

Abstract

A utility belt comprises an upper portion, a lower portion, a connecting member, and first and second connectors. The connecting member operatively connects the upper and lower portions, and the first and second lower connectors are operatively connected to the connecting member. A connector is positioned proximate each side of the user.

Claims

1. A utility belt, comprising:

an upper portion configured and arranged to be positioned proximate a user'"'"'s waist;

a lower portion configured and arranged to be positioned proximate a user'"'"'s upper thighs;

a connecting member operatively connecting the upper and lower portions; and

first and second lower connectors operatively connected to the connecting member.

2. The utility belt of claim 1, wherein a portion of a load is transferred from the lower portion to the upper portion via the first and second lower connectors and the connecting member.

3. The utility belt of claim 1, further comprising a connection member configured and arranged to operatively connect the utility belt to a full body harness.

4. The utility belt of claim 1, wherein the upper portion includes a waist belt configured and arranged to wrap around a user'"'"'s waist, and wherein the lower portion supports the user in a swing-like manner.

5. The utility belt of claim 1, further comprising a connecting portion operatively connecting the upper and lower portions proximate intermediate portions of the upper and lower portions.

6. The utility belt of claim 1, further comprising a middle portion positioned between the upper and lower portions, the middle portion being positioned proximate a user'"'"'s hips.

7. The utility belt of claim 6, further comprising a connecting portion operatively connecting the middle portion to the upper and lower portions.

8. The utility belt of claim 6, further comprising first and second upper connectors operatively connected to the middle portion.

9. The utility belt of claim 8, further comprising a hip belt extending through slots in the first and second upper connectors and configured and arranged to wrap around a user'"'"'s hips.

10. The utility belt of claim 1, wherein the upper portion includes a waist belt with a buckle.

11. A utility belt, comprising:

a waist portion configured and arranged to extend about at least a portion of a user'"'"'s waist;

a seat portion configured and arranged to extend about at least a portion of a user'"'"'s upper thighs;

a first connecting member interconnecting the waist portion and the seat portion;

a first D-ring operatively connected to the first connecting member between the waist portion and the seat portion;

a second connecting member interconnecting the waist portion and the seat portion;

a second D-ring operatively connected to the second connecting member between the waist portion and the seat portion;

wherein a portion of a load is transferred from the seat portion to the waist portion via the first and second D-rings and the first and second connecting members.

12. The utility belt of claim 11, further comprising a hip portion positioned between the waist portion and the seat portion, a connecting portion operatively connecting the hip portion to the waist portion and seat portion.

13. The utility belt of claim 12, further comprising third and fourth D-rings operatively connected to the hip portion.

14. The utility belt of claim 13, further comprising a hip belt extending through slots in the third and fourth D-rings and configured and arranged to wrap around a user'"'"'s hips.

15. The utility belt of claim 11, wherein the waist portion includes a waist belt with a buckle.

16. The utility belt of claim 11, wherein the seat portion includes a seat strap to which the first and second connecting members are operatively connected.

17. The utility belt of claim 11, wherein the waist portion includes a waist belt, the seat portion includes a seat strap, and the first and second connecting members interconnect the waist belt and the seat strap.