EP0929441A1

EP0929441A1 - Harness safety system for paragliding or motorized paragliding

Info

Publication number: EP0929441A1
Application number: EP98932510A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Andrea Bonavita; Paolo Fabbri
Original assignee: Get Up Engineering SNC
Current assignee: Get Up Engineering SNC
Priority date: 1997-08-11
Filing date: 1998-07-15
Publication date: 1999-07-21
Also published as: ITFO970020A3; ITFO970020A0; WO1999007602A1; DE29880096U1

Abstract

The 'A' harness, attachable to a paragliding wing by two M closure connectors (inserted in 'S' adjustable shoulder straps), is equipped on both sides (or on appendages coming from the shoulder straps) with 'G2' parts of two buckles, whose related 'G1' parts are on both sides of the 'V' chest strap. The 'V' chest strap is fixed permanently, by one or more straps, to the 'C' leg straps (each of which may be equipped with the usual bouckle) coming from the central part of the seat, or straight to the seat, so that once the 'V' strap is hooked, the pilot is retained in the harness.

Description

HARNESS SAFETY SYSTEM FOR PARAGLID ING OR MOTOR IZED PARAGLIDING

Technical Field

The invention relates to paragliding and paragliding motorized harnesses.

The harness for paragliding pilots consists of a seat which is hung to the wing by two closure connectors (usually carabiners). During the take off run, the pilot is retained in the harness by three distinct straps, each one locked by a buckle. Once in flight, these straps permit the pilot to sit down in the harness.

A major risk facing the pilot preparing to take off is forgetting an indispensable operation: to lock the leg buckles of his harness. Each year this forgetfulness is the cause of several accidents, often fatal. Even though the pilot may realize he has forgotten to lock the leg buckles, it is often too late to abort the take off, and the flight has been initiated with no way to sit down in the harness.

Forgetting to lock the leg straps buckles is highly dangerous, because the remaining chest strap is just tight enough to lift the pilot, but insufficient to hold him for long. The pilot will end up dangling by his arms from the chest strap, until his strength is gone, at which time he will fall from the harness.

The safety system will retain the pilot in the harness and allow him to sit, even if he forgets to secure the leg buckles. On the other hand, forgetting both chest and leg straps, pilot easily stops his take off, since nothing holds him to the harness.

Background art

The prior art in harnesses construction contemplates three distinct locking points: two leg and one chest buckles.

The materials used in harness manufacture are tested to withhold many times more strain than that incurred during flight.

The way to wear the harness usually prefered by paragliding pilots provides for these steps: to slip the arms under the shoulder straps; to clasp the leg buckles; to clasp the chest buckle.

The cause of pilots falling from their harnesses is thus not due to failure of the harness but to inadequate concentration during the take off preparation. Disclosure of Invention

The safety system consists in a central part of the chest strap equipped with two buckles, (preferably identical to prevent the pilot from clasping the side buckles each other), one on each side. This part of the chest strap is unhookable from the rest of the chest strap, and fastens on the harness by one (or more) line strap that links it directly to the central part of the seat, or to the central part of the leg straps (that come from the seat). So, clasping the chest strap, the pilot will be safe also in case of missed-hooking of the leg straps, as the system straps (passing among his thighs) will hold him to the harness and allow him to sit down as usual. In case of omitted hook-up of all the leg and the chest straps, an unintentional take off is impossible, as the pilot is quite free from the harness.

This will be clear looking at the two enclosed figures where, by indicative and not restrictive way, are showed two possible ways of the invention use. The safety system can be implemented as a kit to update an existing harness (with great improvement of pilot safety), or it can be installed as a system in new harnesses by manufacturers. In the latter case, it enables the manufacturer to eliminate the leg buckles, gaining two further advantages: first, preparation for take off and exiting the harness (very important in case of a water landing) is faster; second, manufactoring costs are decreased (one buckle and some sewings are no longer needed).

Obviously, keeping with the described characteristics and remaining in this patent ambit, the safety system can be modified and varied , to be adaptable to different harnesses, with different buckles and straps.

Brief description of drawings

In FIG.1, the "A" harness, hangable to a paragliding wing by the "M" closure connectors (inserted in "S" adjustable shoulder straps), is equipped on both shoulder straps (or on appendages coming from the shoulder straps) with "G2" female parts of two buckles, whose related "Gl" male parts are mounted on both sides of the "V" chest strap. Regardless of wether the buckle parts mounted on the chest strap are male or female parts, they should be identical to prevent the pilot from connecting the side buckles to each other. The "V" chest strap is fixed permanently, by the two "B" straps, to the "C" leg straps

(each of which is equipped with the usual bouckle), coming from the central part of the seat.

FIG.2 is a simplified version of FIG.1. The "A" harness, hangable to a paragliding wing by the "M" closure connectors

(inserted in "S" adjustable shoulder straps), is equipped on both sides (or on appendages coming from the shoulder straps) with "G2" female parts of two buckles, whose related

"Gl" male parts are on both sides of the "V" chest strap. Thanks to this device, the pilot, by buckling the "V" chest strap, will be safe in case he forgot to buckle the "C" leg straps, because the system strap "D" (passing between the pilot's thighs) will hold him in the harness and allow him to sit down.

The FIG.l "B" strap and the FIG.2 "D" strap can be equipped with length adjustable devices while still maintaining their function. Moreover, with FIG.1 version, it is possible to replace the "B" straps with the exstensions of "C" straps, coming from the central part of the seat and not necessary having a single origin.

Rest mode for carrying out the invention The best mode for carrying out the invention is designing the harness straps and buckles system consistent with the safety system, thus obtaining all the advantages described in "disclosure of invention".

Claims

CJaims

1. Safety system for paragliding and motorized paragliding harnesses, whose primary characteristic is (being the harness made up mainly of two shoulder, one chest and two leg straps retaimng the pilot in the hanged-to-the-wing harness) keeping the pilot from accidentally falling from the harness because the pilot forgot to buckle the leg straps. The chest strap consists of a central portion, detachable and equipped with a buckle on each side, and is permanently linked by one or more straps to the central area of the harness seat. Thus resulting that the chest strap hooking gives the pilot the assurance of an inguinal stop. This version can avoid the presence of leg straps.

2. Safety system for paragliding and motorized paragliding harnesses, according to claim 1, characterized by a chest strap with a central portion that is detachable and equipped with a buckle by each side, and is permanently linked by one or more straps to the harness seat, or the next area. Thus resulting that the chest strap hooking gives the pilot the assurance of an inguinal stop. This version can avoid the presence of leg straps.

3. Safety system for paragliding and motorized paragliding harnesses, according to claim 1, characterized, as shown in FIG.1, by a harness equipped on both sides with the "G2" parts of two buckles, whose "Gl" parts are attached to the sides of adjustable "V" chest strap. The "V" strap is permanently linked by two "B" straps to "C" leg straps, coming from the central area of the harness seat and having on their free ends the "Gl " part of the leg buckles, whose "G2" parts come from the lower sides of the harness. Thus resulting that the chest strap hooking gives the pilot the assurance of an inguinal stop, in case he forgets to buckle the leg straps.

4. - Safety system for paragliding and motorized paragliding harnesses, according to claim 3, characterized, as shown in FIG.2, by a "V" strap permanently linked by one "D" strap to "C" leg straps, coming from the central area of the harness seat and having on their free ends the "Gl " parts of the leg buckles, whose "G2" parts come from the lower sides of the harness. Thus resulting that the chest strap hooking gives the pilot the assurance of an inguinal stop, in case of leg straps omitted-hooking.

5. Safety system for paragliding and motorized paragliding harnesses, according to claim 1, 2, 3 and 4, characterized by having, on both sides of the detachable chest strap, two identical parts of buckles (males or females) to avoid the possibility of connecting the side buckles to each other.

6. Safety system for paragliding and motorized paragliding harnesses, according to claim 1, 2, 3 and 4, characterized by having straps that link, directly or indirectly, the detachable chest strap to the harness seat or nearby area, and that can be equipped with length adjustable devices.

7. Safety system for paragliding and motorized paragliding harnesses, according to claim 3 and 4, characterized in that the straps going to the chest strap could be the leg ones, lengthened and, in case, equipped with buckles to connect to the buckles on the lower sides of the harness.

8. Safety system for paragliding and motorized paragliding harnesses, according to all the preceding claims, substantially as described for specified purposes and independently from all those adjustaments and variations that, remainig in the invention ambit, could be made to adapt the safety system to different harnesses, and depending on which buckles and straps are used.