GB2538943A

GB2538943A - Harness connector

Info

Publication number: GB2538943A
Application number: GB1507138.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Neve Simon
Original assignee: Pammenter & Petrie Ltd; Trans And Distrib Innovations Ltd
Current assignee: Pammenter & Petrie Ltd; Trans And Distrib Innovations Ltd
Priority date: 2015-04-27
Filing date: 2015-04-27
Publication date: 2016-12-07
Anticipated expiration: 2035-04-27
Also published as: GB201507138D0; GB2538943B

Abstract

A harness connector 10 for connecting a human harness to an external connector, comprising: a first recess 30 for receiving an external connector 70; a second recess 40 for receiving an external connector 72; a latch 50 having a first locking position for locking external-connector 70 in the first-recess 30, while maintaining the second-recess 40 open to receive external-connector 72 and having a second locking position for locking external-connector 72 in the second-recess 40 while maintaining the first-recess 30 open; and a user-operable switching mechanism 16, which when a first position urges latch 50 towards the first locking position and when in a second position urges latch 50 towards a second locking position. The latch 50 may move between first and second locking positions causing the first-recess 30 to open and the second-recess 40 to close and where reversing the latch movement opens the second-recess 40 and closes the first-recess 30. Also a harness connector 10 comprising a releasing mechanism that responds to the insertion of an external-connector 72 into the second-recess 40 by automatically causing an external-connector 70 in the first-recess 30 to be released therefrom if the user operable switching mechanism 16 is in its second position.

Description

TITLE

Harness Connector

TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the invention relate to a harness connector. In particular, they relate to a harness connector for connecting a human harness to an external connector, such as an 0-ring.

BACKGROUND

A raised working platform provides a person with the ability to perform work at an elevated level. For safety reasons, the person may wear a harness to prevent them from falling from the raised platform. The harness may be connected via a lanyard to the working platform or to another structure, such as a building or a tree. It is dangerous if the harness is connected to, for example, both the working platform and another structure because, if the worker falls, he will be pulled in different directions due to him being connected to both the working platform and the other structure.

BRIEF SUMMARY

According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments of the invention there is provided a harness connector for connecting a human harness to an external connector, comprising: a first recess for receiving an external connector; a second recess for receiving an external connector; a latch having a first locking position for locking an external connector in the first recess while maintaining the second recess open to receive a further external connector, and having a second locking position for locking an external connector in the second recess while maintaining the first recess open to receiving a further external connector; and a user-operable switching mechanism arranged, when the user-operable switching mechanism is in a first position, to urge the latch towards the first locking position, and arranged, when the user-operable switching mechanism is in a second position, to urge the latch towards a second locking position.

According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments of the invention there is provided a harness connector for connecting a human harness to an external connector, comprising: a first recess for receiving an external connector; a second recess for receiving an external connector; and a latch having a first locking position for locking an external connector in the first recess while maintaining the second recess open to receive a further external connector, and having a second locking position for locking an external connector in the second recess while maintaining the first recess open to receiving a further external connector.

According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments of the invention there is provided a harness connector for connecting a human harness to an external connector, comprising: a first recess for receiving an external connector; a second recess for receiving an external connector; a latch having a first locking position for locking an external connector in the first recess while maintaining the second recess open to receive a further external connector, and having a second locking position for locking an external connector in the second recess while maintaining the first recess open to receiving a further external connector; and switching means arranged, when the switching means is in a first position, to urge the latch towards the first locking position, and arranged, when the switching means is in a second position, to urge the latch towards a second locking position.

According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments of the invention there is provided a harness connector for connecting a human harness to an external connector, comprising: a first recess for receiving an external connector; a second recess for receiving an external connector; user operable switching means that is switchable between a first position and a second position; and releasing means configured to respond to the insertion of an external connector into the second recess by automatically causing an external connector in the first recess to be released from the first recess if the user operable switching means is in the second position.

According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments of the invention there is provided examples as claimed in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

For a better understanding of various examples that are useful for understanding the brief description, reference will now be made by way of example only to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 illustrates a front elevation of a harness connector; Figure 2 illustrates a front plate of the harness connector; Figure 3 illustrates an external connector locked in a first recess of the harness connector, where the front plate of the harness connector has been removed for clarity; Figure 4 illustrates the harness connector where a user-operable switching mechanism of the harness connector has been switched from a first position to a second position; Figure 5 illustrates the harness connector where a further external connector has been inserted into a second recess of the harness connector and the first external connector has been automatically released by the harness connector; and Figure 6 illustrates a side elevation of the harness connector.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figure 1 illustrates a front elevation of a harness connector 10 for connecting a human harness to an external connector. The harness may, for example, be a full body safety harness that is designed to arrest the fall of a human wearing the harness in the event of an accident. The harness connector may connect to the human harness in any manner. For example, an aperture (not shown) may be provided in the harness connector that enables one or more straps of the harness to be threaded through the aperture in order to connect the harness to the harness connector.

The harness connector has a housing which comprises a rear plate 13 and a front plate 14. The front plate 14 can be seen in figure 1, but the rear plate 13 is not visible.

The harness connector 10 comprises a first recess 30 for receiving an external connector. The external connector may, for example, be in the form of an 0-ring. The harness connector 10 also comprises a second recess 40 for receiving an external connector which may, for example, also be in the form of an 0-ring. The external connector may, for instance, be connected to a first end of a lanyard. A second end of the lanyard may be connected to another connector that is, in turn, connected to (or connectable to) a structure, such as a building, a tree or a working platform.

The harness connector 10 comprises a user-operable switching mechanism 16 or, in other words, user-operable switching means. The user-operable switching mechanism 16 comprises a user-operable switch 18 which is movable within an aperture 15 in the front plate 14.

Figure 2 illustrates a front elevation of the front plate 14. The front plate 14 includes a recessed portion 17 which enables the switch 18 to be fixed in place in order to place the user-operable switching mechanism 16 in a first position or a second position. In this regard, the user-operable switch 18 may be resiliently biased towards the front plate 14 (into the page in figure 1 and 2) to sit in the recessed portion 17 of the front plate 14. In order to move the user-operable switching mechanism 16 from the first position to the second position, the user may be required to pull the outer housing of the switch 18 away from the front plate 14 (out of the page in figures 1 and 2), translate switch 18 sidewards, and then release the outer housing of the switch 18 so that the switch 18 rests within the recessed portion 17 after it has been translated.

Figure 3 illustrates the internal workings of the harness connector 10 in more detail. In figure 3, the front plate 14 has been removed to show the internal workings of the harness connector 10. In practice, it may not be possible to remove the front plate 14 without removing at least part of the user-operable switch 18, but the user-operable switch 18 is shown without the front plate 14 being shown in figure 3 to better illustrate the operation of the harness connector 10.

The harness connector 10 further comprises a latch 50, a detent 60, a detent support 67 and a further detent 63. The detent 60 includes a recessed portion 61 and a protruding portion 62. The detent 60 is movable between a first detent position and a second detent position. The detent 60 is resiliently biased towards the first detent position by a spring 66. One end of the spring 66 abuts a face of the detent support 67 and the other end abuts the detent 60. Figure 3 illustrates the detent 60 in the second detent position.

The further detent 63 comprises a recessed portion 64 and a protruding portion 65. The further detent 63 is movable between a third detent position and a fourth detent position. The further detent 63 is resiliently biased towards the fourth detent position by a spring 68. One end of the spring 68 abuts a face of the detent support 67 and the other end abuts the further detent 63. Figure 3 illustrates the further detent 63 in the fourth detent position.

Figure 3 illustrates the latch 50 when the latch 50 is in its first locking position for locking a first external connector 70, in the form of an 0-ring, in the first recess 30.

While the latch 50 is in the first locking position, it maintains the second recess 40 open to receive a second external connector. The latch 50 also has a second locking position for locking a second external connector in the second recess 40 while maintaining the first recess 30 open to receive the first external connector 70. The second locking position is described in further detail below.

The latch 50 is movable between the first locking position and the second locking position. In the illustrated embodiment, the latch 50 is in the form of a lever and comprises a first arm 51 and a second arm 52. The latch 50 is arranged to rotate about a pivot 59. The first arm 51 of the latch 50 comprises a recessed portion 53 for receiving the first external connector 70, a protruding portion 57 for insertion into the recessed portion 61 of the detent 60, and a recessed portion 55 for receiving the protruding portion 62 of the detent 60.

The second arm 52 of the latch 50 comprises a recessed portion 54 for receiving the second external connector, a protruding portion 58 for insertion into the recessed portion 64 of the further detent 63, and a recessed portion 56 for receiving the protruding portion 65 of the further detent 63.

The detent 60 and the further detent 63 are for resisting rotational motion of the latch when it rotates about the pivot 59. The detent 60 is for resisting rotational motion of the latch 50 in a first direction (in the figures, anti-clockwise) and the further detent 63 is for resisting rotational motion of the latch 50 in a second direction (clockwise, in the figures) which is rotationally opposite to the first direction.

In the illustrated embodiment, the user-operable switching mechanism 16 comprises a first spring 22 and a second spring 24. One end of the first spring 22 is attached to the switch 18 and the other end is attached to the first arm 51 of the latch 50. One end of the second spring 24 is attached to the switch 18 and the other end is attached to the second arm 52 of the latch 50.

The user-operable switching mechanism 16 is in a first position in figure 3 in which it is arranged to urge the latch 50 towards its first locking position. As mentioned above, the latch 50 is in its first locking position in figure 3. The first spring 22 which exerts a downward force on the first arm 51 of the latch 50 and the second spring 24 exerts an upwards force on the second arm 52 of the latch 50 when the switching mechanism 16 is in the first position, in order to urge the latch 50 into its first locking position.

As mentioned above, figure 3 illustrates the detent 60 in the second detent position.

When the detent 60 is in the second detent position, it enables the user-operable switching mechanism 16 to urge the latch 50 into the first locking position. Figure 3 illustrates a first external connector 70 located in the first recess 30 and is locked in position. The first external connector 70 is positioned within the recessed portion 53 of first arm 51 of the latch 50. The protruding portion 57 of the first arm 51 of the latch is located in the recessed portion 61 of the detent 60. The protruding portion 62 of the detent 60 is located in the recessed portion 55 of the first arm 51 of the latch 50.

It may be that a wearer of the harness wishes to disconnect himself from the first external connector 70 and connect himself to a second external connector. For instance, it could be that the first external connector 70 is connected to a working platform and the user wishes to disconnect himself from the working platform and attach himself to a second external connector which is attached to a building or a tree. As mentioned above in the background section, it is dangerous for a user to be connected to two different structures at the same time. It is also dangerous for a user to be completely disconnected from any structures at all.

When a user wishes to free himself from the first external connector 70 and attach himself to the second external connector 72, he operates the user-operable switching mechanism 16 by lifting the external housing of the switch 18 and sliding the switch 18 sidewards, before releasing the external housing of the switch 18 such that the external housing of the switch 18 sits in the recessed portion 17 of the front plate 14. The movement of the switch 18 places the user-operable switching mechanism 16 into its second position.

Figure 4 illustrates the switch 18 after it has been moved by the user, such that the user operable switching mechanism 16 is in its second position. When the user operable switching mechanism 16 is in its second position, the second spring 24 exerts a downwards force on the second arm 52 of the latch 50 and the first spring 22 exerts an upwards force on the first arm 51 of the latch 50, urging the latch 50 to rotate clockwise about the pivot 59. Figure 4 illustrates the further detent 63 in the fourth detent position. When the further detent 63 is in the fourth detent position, it prevents the protruding portion 58 of the second arm 52 of the latch 50 from entering the recessed portion 64 of the further detent 63. In this regard, the protruding portion 58 of the second arm 52 of the latch 50 abuts the protruding portion 65 of the further detent 63 which prevents it from rotating clockwise.

The user then inserts the second external connector 72, which has the form of an 0-ring in the illustrated example, into the second recess 40. As the external connector 72 is pushed into the second recess 40, it urges the further detent 63 from the fourth detent position to the third detent position. When the further detent 63 is in the third detent position, it enables the user-operable switching mechanism 16 to urge the latch 50 into the second locking position by enabling the latch 50 to rotate clockwise about the pivot 59.

Figure 5 illustrates the latch 50 in the second locking position. When the latch 50 is in the second locking position, the second external connector 72 is positioned in the recessed portion 54 of the second arm 52 of the latch 50 (and in the recess 40), the protruding portion 58 of the second arm 52 of the latch 50 is positioned in the recessed portion 64 of the further detent 63, and the protruding portion 65 of the further detent 63 is positioned in the recessed portion 56 of the latch 50.

As the latch 50 moves from the first locking position to the second locking position, it opens the first recess 30 and closes the second recess 40. The clockwise movement of the latch 50 causes the protruding portion 57 of the first arm 51 of the latch 50 to move out of the recessed portion 61 of the detent 60 and also causes the protruding portion 62 of the detent 60 to move out of the recessed portion 55 of the first arm 51 of the latch 50. This, in turn, causes the first detent spring 66 to move the detent 60 from the second detent position to the first detent position, as shown in figure 5. The movement of the detent 60 pushes the first external connector 70 out of the first recess 30.

The latch 50 and the detent 60 can therefore be considered to be releasing means which is configured to respond to insertion of the second external connector 72 into the second recess 40 by automatically causing the first external connector 70 in the first recess 30 to be released from the first recess 30 if the user-operable switching mechanism/means 16 is in the second position.

When the latch 50 is in the second locking position and the detent 60 is in the first detent position, the detent 60 prevents the latch 50 from rotating anti-clockwise because the protruding portion 57 of the first arm 51 of the latch 50 abuts the protruding portion 62 of the detent 60. Thus, the second external connector 72 is securely locked in position in the second recess 40.

If the user wishes to free himself from the external connector 72 and reattach himself to the external connector 70, he operates the user-operable switching mechanism 16 by lifting the external housing of the switch 18 and sliding the switch 18 sidewards, before releasing the external housing of the switch 18 such that the external housing sits in the recessed portion 17 of the front plate 14 in the position shown in figure 3.

This places the user operable switching mechanism 18 back into its first position.

When the user-operable switching mechanism 16 is in its first position, the first spring 22 exerts a downwards force on the first arm 51 of the latch 50 and the second spring 24 exerts an upwards force on the second arm 52 of the latch 50, urging it to rotate anti-clockwise about the pivot 59.

At this point in time, the latch 50 cannot rotate because the detent 60 is positioned in the first detent position in which it prevents anti-clockwise rotation of the latch 50. In this regard, the protruding portion 57 of the first arm 51 of the latch 50 abuts the protruding portion 62 of the detent 60 (as shown in figure 5).

The user then inserts the first external connector 70 into the first recess 30. As the first external connector 70 is pushed into the first recess 30, it urges the detent 60 from the first detent position to the second detent position. When the detent 60 is in the second detent position, it enables the user-operable switching mechanism 16 to urge the latch so from its second locking position into its first locking position. In other words, it enables the latch 50 to rotate anti-clockwise about the pivot 59.

The latch 50 rotates into the second locking position as shown in figure 3. As the latch 50 moves from the second locking position to the first locking position, it opens the second recess 40 and closes the first recess 30. The anti-clockwise movement of the latch 50 causes the protruding portion 58 of the second arm 52 of the latch 50 to move out of the recessed portion 65 of the further detent 63 and also causes the protruding portion 65 of the further detent 63 to move out of the recessed portion 56 of the second arm 52 of latch 50. This, in turn, causes the second detent spring 68 to move the further detent 63 from the third detent position to the fourth detent position, as shown in figure 3. The movement of the further detent 63 pushes the second external connector 72 out of the second recess 40.

The latch 50 and the further detent 63 can therefore be considered to be releasing means which is configured to respond to insertion of the first external connector 70 into the first recess 30 by automatically causing the second external connector 72 in the second recess 40 to be released from the second recess 40 if the user-operable switching mechanism/means 16 is in the first position.

When the latch 50 returns to the first locking position and the further detent 63 returns to the fourth detent position, the further detent 63 prevents the latch 50 from rotating clockwise because the protruding portion 58 of the second arm 52 abuts the protruding portion 65 of the further detent 63. Thus, the first external connector 70 is securely locked in position in the first recess 30.

Figure 6 illustrates a side elevation of the harness connector 10. The first recess 30 and the second recess 40 may each be shaped such that, if a force is exerted on an external connector 70, 72 positioned in the first or second recess 30, 40, the external connector 70, 72 transfers that force to the front plate 14 and the rear plate 13 of the housing of the harness connector 10, rather than to the arms 51, 52 of the latch 50. This advantageously means that the harness connector 10 is able to sustain a higher force than would otherwise be the case.

Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in the preceding paragraphs with reference to various examples, it should be appreciated that modifications to the examples given can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed. For example, the user operable switching mechanism 16 may not comprise the first spring 22 nor the second spring 24.

Instead, it may merely comprise a protrusion that exerts a downwards force on the first arm 51 of the latch 50 when the user-operable switch 18 is in the first position and which exerts a downwards force on the second arm 52 of the latch 50 when the user-operable switch 18 is in the second position.

Features described in the preceding description may be used in combinations other than the combinations explicitly described.

Although functions have been described with reference to certain features, those functions may be performable by other features whether described or not.

Although features have been described with reference to certain embodiments, those features may also be present in other embodiments whether described or not.

Whilst endeavoring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

I/we claim:

Claims

CLAIMS1. A harness connector for connecting a human harness to an external connector, comprising: a first recess for receiving an external connector; a second recess for receiving an external connector; a latch having a first locking position for locking an external connector in the first recess while maintaining the second recess open to receive a further external connector, and having a second locking position for locking an external connector in the second recess while maintaining the first recess open to receiving a further external connector; and a user-operable switching mechanism arranged, when the user-operable switching mechanism is in a first position, to urge the latch towards the first locking position, and arranged, when the user-operable switching mechanism is in a second position, to urge the latch towards a second locking position.
2. The harness connector of claim 1, wherein the latch is movable between the first locking position and the second locking position.
3. The harness connector of claim 2. wherein movement of the latch from the first locking position to the second locking position opens the first recess and closes the second recess.
4. The harness connector of claim 3 or 4, wherein movement of the latch from the second locking position to the first locking position opens the second recess and closes the first recess.
5. The harness connector of any of the preceding claims, wherein the latch is rotatable between the first locking position and the second locking position.
6. The harness connector of any of the preceding claims, wherein the latch is rotatable in a first direction from the first locking position to the second locking position and rotatable in a second direction from the second locking position to the first locking position, wherein the second direction is rotationally opposite to the first direction.
7. The harness connector of any of the preceding claims, further comprising a detent for resisting motion of the latch.
8. The harness connector of claim 7, wherein the detent is for resisting rotational motion of the latch.
9. The harness connector of claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the detent is movable between a first detent position and a second detent position, and wherein when the detent is in a first detent position the detent is positioned to prevent the user-operable switching mechanism from urging the latch into the first locking position, and when the detent is in a second detent position, the detent is positioned to enable the user-operable switching mechanism to urge the latch into the first locking position.
10. The harness connector of claim 9, wherein the latch comprises a protruding portion and the detent comprises a recessed portion and, when the detent is in the first detent position, the detent is positioned to prevent the protruding portion of the latch from entering the recessed portion of the detent.
11. The harness connector of claim 10, wherein when the detent is in the second detent position, the detent is positioned to enable the protruding portion of the latch to enter the recessed portion of the detent.
12. The harness connector of claim 9, 10 or 11, wherein the detent is resiliently biased towards the first detent position.
13. The harness connector of claim 12, further comprising a spring to resiliently bias the detent towards the first detent position.
14. The harness connector of any of claims 7 to 13, further comprising a further detent for resisting motion of the latch.
15. The harness connector of claim 14, wherein the further detent is for resisting rotational motion of the latch in a first direction and the detent is for resisting rotational motion of the detent in a second direction, wherein the second direction is rotationally opposite to the first direction.
16. The harness connector of claim 14 or 15, wherein the further detent is movable between a third detent position and a fourth detent position, and wherein when the further detent is in the fourth detent position, the detent prevents the user-operable switching means from urging the latch into the second locking position, and when the further detent is in the third detent position, the further detent enables the user-operable switching mechanism to urge the latch into the second locking position.
17. The harness connector of claim 14, 15 or 16, wherein the latch comprises a further protruding portion and the further detent comprises a recessed portion and, when the detent is in the fourth detent position, the further detent is positioned to prevent the further protruding portion of the latch from entering the recessed portion of the further detent.
18. The harness connector of claim 17, wherein when the further detent is in the third detent position, the further detent is positioned to enable the further protruding portion of the latch to enter the recessed portion of the further detent.
19. The harness connector of any of claims 14 to 18, wherein the further detent is resiliently biased towards the fourth detent position.
20. The harness connector of claim 19, further comprising a spring to resiliently bias the further detent towards the fourth detent position.
21. The harness connector of any of the preceding claims, wherein the first recess is for receiving an external connector in the form of an 0-ring and the second recess is for receiving an external connector in the form of an 0-ring.
22. A human harness comprising the harness connector of any of the preceding claims.
23. A harness connector for connecting a human harness to an external connector, comprising: a first recess for receiving an external connector; a second recess for receiving an external connector; and a latch having a first locking position for locking an external connector in the first recess while maintaining the second recess open to receive a further external connector, and having a second locking position for locking an external connector in the second recess while maintaining the first recess open to receiving a further external connector.
24. A harness connector for connecting a human harness to an external connector, comprising: a first recess for receiving an external connector; a second recess for receiving an external connector; user operable switching means that is switchable between a first position and a second position; and releasing means configured to respond to the insertion of an external connector into the second recess by automatically causing an external connector in the first recess to be released from the first recess if the user operable switching means is in the second position.
25. The harness connector of claim 24, wherein the releasing means is configured to respond to insertion of an external connector into the first recess by automatically causing an external connector in the second recess to be released from the second recess if the user operable switching means is in the first position.