Harness connection arrangement

• US 11,191,325 B2
• Filed: 04/13/2018
• Issued: 12/07/2021
• Est. Priority Date: 04/13/2018
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: MSA Technology, LLC (MSA Safety, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: MSA Technology, LLC (MSA Safety, Inc.)
• Inventors: Hetrich, Mitchell H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chavchavadze, Colleen M
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bradford, Candace L
• Application Number:
  US15/952,809
• Publication Number:
  US 20190313746A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,334 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A44B 11/04 without movable parts
• CPC Class Codes: A44B 11/10 sliding wedge
• CPC Class Codes: A44B 11/2588 combined with one buckle element rotating or pivoting
• CPC Class Codes: A44B 11/28 with hooks engaging end-pieces on the strap A44B11/2503 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A44B 13/0029 characterised by their way of fastening to the support A44B13/0052 and A44B13/0058 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A44D 2200/10 Details of construction
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 35/0018 Full body harnesses covering at least shoulders and thighs
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 35/0025 Details and accessories

Abstract

A connection arrangement for use with a wearable body harness has a first connector having a body with a first portion of a locking mechanism and a second connector having a body with a second portion of the locking mechanism. The first portion of the locking mechanism has a tab connected to the body of the first connector and a slot having a first portion extending through the body of the first connector and a second portion extending through the tab. The second portion of the locking mechanism has a tongue configured for being received through the first portion of the slot, and an intermediate connecting element having a first end connected to the body of the second connector and a second end connected to the tongue. The second end of the intermediate connecting element is offset from the body of the second connector.

Claims

1. A connection arrangement for use with a wearable body harness, the connection arrangement comprising:

a first connector having a body with a first portion of a locking mechanism; and

a second connector having a body with a second portion of the locking mechanism,

wherein the first portion of the locking mechanism comprises;

a tab connected to the body of the first connector and angled at a predetermined angle relative to a plane defined by the body, and

a slot having a first slot portion extending through the body of the first connector and a second slot portion extending through the tab and being continuous with the first slot portion, and

wherein the second portion of the locking mechanism comprises;

a tongue configured for being received through the first slot portion, and

an intermediate connecting element having a first end connected to the body of the second connector and a second end connected to the tongue, the second end of the intermediate connecting element being offset from the body of the second connector such that the intermediate connecting element is receivable in the second slot portion on the tab,

wherein the tongue is connected to the intermediate connecting element along a first elongated side that is wider than a width of the intermediate connecting element,

wherein the first elongated side has a first part overlapping a first side of the intermediate connecting element and a second part overlapping a second side of the intermediate connecting element, and

wherein a width of the first part of the first elongated side is shorter than a width of the second part of the first elongated side.

2. The connection arrangement of claim 1, wherein the first portion of the locking mechanism is configured for interacting with the second portion of the locking mechanism to removably engage the first connector and the second connector between a first, locked configuration, where the first connector and the second connector are connected to each other, and a second, unlocked configuration, where the first connector and the second connector are disconnected from each other.

3. The connection arrangement of claim 1, wherein the predetermined angle is 30°

to 180°

.

4. The connection arrangement of claim 1, wherein the first slot portion has an angled end surface that is angled at an angle of 90°

to 180°

relative to lateral surfaces of the first slot portion.

5. The connection arrangement of claim 1, wherein a width of the first slot portion is narrower than a width of the tongue.

6. The connection arrangement of claim 1, wherein a width of the second slot portion is wider than a width of the intermediate connecting element.

7. The connection arrangement of claim 1, wherein the body of each of the first connector and the second connector comprises at least one fixed buckle configured for receiving at least a portion of a harness webbing therethrough.

8. The connection arrangement of claim 7, wherein the at least one fixed buckle has a bar spaced apart from the body of each of the first connector and the second connector by a gap and a pair of posts connecting terminal ends of the bar to the body of each of the first connector and the second connector.

9. The connection arrangement of claim 1, wherein the body of each of the first connector and the second connector comprises at least one adjustable buckle configured for receiving at least a portion of a harness webbing therethrough, the adjustable buckle having an adjustment mechanism configured for adjusting a position of at least one strap of the harness by selective frictional engagement with the at least one strap of the harness.

10. The connection arrangement of claim 9, wherein the adjustment mechanism comprises a frame connected at its terminal ends to the body of each of the first connector and the second connector with an opening between a central portion of the frame and the body of each of the first connector and the second connector, and an adjustment bar extending across the opening and movably engaged with the terminal ends of the frame.

11. The connection arrangement of claim 10, wherein the adjustment bar has an elongated body with terminal ends curved in a direction toward one another.

12. The connection arrangement of claim 10, wherein the frame has a lifting tab configured as an arcuate bend in the frame.

13. The connection arrangement of claim 1, wherein the body of at least one of the first connector and the second connector is substantially planar.

14. The connection arrangement of claim 1, further comprising a relief opening extending through the body of at least one of the first connector and the second connector.

15. A wearable body harness having a plurality of straps comprising:

a first shoulder strap and a second shoulder strap;

a first connector on the first shoulder strap, the first connector having a body with a first portion of a locking mechanism; and

a second connector on the second shoulder strap, the second connector having a body with a second portion of the locking mechanism,

wherein the first shoulder strap and the second shoulder strap are removably connectable to each other with engagement of the first connector and the second connector, and

wherein the first portion of the locking mechanism comprises;

a tab connected to the body of the first connector, and

a slot having a first slot portion extending through the body of the first connector and a second slot portion extending through the tab and being continuous with the first slot portion, and

wherein the second portion of the locking mechanism comprises;

a tongue configured for being received through the first slot portion on the first connector, and

an intermediate connecting element having a first end connected to the body of the second connector and a second end connected to the tongue, the second end of the intermediate connecting element being receivable in the second slot portion on the tab,

wherein the tongue is connected to the intermediate connecting element along a first elongated side that is wider than a width of the intermediate connecting element,

wherein the first elongated side has a first part overlapping a first side of the intermediate connecting element and a second part overlapping a second side of the intermediate connecting element, and

wherein a width of the first part of the first elongated side is shorter than a width of the second part of the first elongated side.

16. The wearable body harness of claim 15, wherein the first shoulder strap has a first portion connected to a first end of the first connector and a second portion connected to a second end of the first connector, and

wherein the second shoulder strap has a first strap portion connected to a first end of the second connector and a second strap portion connected to a second end of the second connector.

17. The wearable body harness of claim 15, wherein the first shoulder strap and the second shoulder strap are arranged in an X-shaped configuration at a front portion of the harness.