MX2008002291A - Energy absorbing webbings - Google Patents

Abstract

A tear-away energy absorbing webbing (10) is a one-piece webbing. The tear-away energy absorbing webbing (10) has a top layer load-bearing web (12) and a bottom layer load-bearing web (24). An energy absorbing portion (38) of the webbing has binder yarns (36) interlaced with the top and bottom layer load-bearing webs (12, 14). A sufficiently high load force applied to the webbing breaks the binder yarns (36) and tears apart the top and bottom layer load-bearing webs (12, 14). The energy absorbing portion (38) absorbs energy as it tears apart. The top and bottom layer load-bearing webs (12, 14) support the load force when the shock absorbing portion is torn apart.

Description

ABSORBENT ENERGY FABRICS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention is generally concerned with webbing. More specifically, the present invention is concerned with energy absorbing straps and tearing energy absorbing straps. An energy absorbing webbing is a one piece web that has two load carrier webs joined together by ligature threads. The two load carrying fabrics and the binding yarns are woven together as a one piece web. During the activation of the web, the ligature threads break as the two webs tear each other and absorb energy or shock. The two separate torn cargo carrier fabrics bear the load applied to the girth. The present invention is further concerned with methods of making energy absorbing straps and methods of using energy absorbing straps. The present invention provides improved straps that can absorb energy and withstand a load. The present invention is described as an energy absorber as well as a shock absorbing choke. The use of the terms "energy absorbent" and "shock absorber" are not intended to limit the present invention. Thus, where one embodiment is described as "shock absorbent" the invention is also considered to belong to "energy absorbent" and vice versa. In some embodiments, the present invention is concerned with shock lanyards, methods of making shock absorbing lanyards and methods of using shock absorbing lanyards. The present invention can provide improved lanyards that can absorb energy and support a load. People who are in elevated positions above a floor or other relatively lower surface may be at risk of falling and injuring themselves. For example, workers and other personnel who have occupations and require them to be in high positions, such as on scaffolding, may be at risk of falling and injuring themselves. Safety harnesses can be used to stop a person from falling and prevent or reduce injury. Safety harnesses commonly have a harness portion used by the user and a support or lanyard extending from the harness portion. The lanyard is connected to the harness portion to a secure structure. If the person falls from the elevated position, the safety harness stops the person from falling when the lanyard is straightened. The fall of the person is stopped rather abruptly and the person is subjected to a shock force of an abrupt stop. Thus, there is a need to improve lanyards that reduce the shock experienced by users of safety harnesses when a fall is stopped. The tear-off lanyards that try to absorb the shock of a person's fall are known. However, there is a need for improved tear-off lanyards that can reduce the shock of stopping a person's fall. The current tear-off lanyards have been manufactured from two separate straps that are assembled together. The straps include] a resistance strap and a separate tear-away strap. The tear-away strap is attached to the resistance girth by sewing. During the use of the lanyard, the tear-away strap is torn under the load of a falling user. The resistance strap supports the user after the tear-away strap is torn. Those existing tear-off lanyards exhibit disadvantages and can be improved. For example, the tear-off lanyards are made of two separate straps (the resistance strap and the tear-away strap) that must be assembled together. The two separate straps increase the cost of the lanyard. Also, the process of assembling the two separate straps increases the cost of the lanyard. Assembly steps are required to attach the tear-away webbing to the resistance webbing, such as by sewing. Existing tear-off lanyards having a tear-away strap and a separate resistance strap are costly and tedious to manufacture.

Another existing tear-away lanyard has had a pre-cut slit in a girth. The webbing tears longitudinally starting at the pre-cut slit. Another tear-away lanyard has an element for piercing or cutting the webbing. The perforating or cutting element tears the webbing longitudinally. Those existing lanyards also exhibit disadvantages and can be improved. For example, the tearing or 'longitudinal cutting of the webbing can be inconsistent and difficult to control. The tearing or cutting action may be rather unpredictable. Thus, the amount of force required to activate the lanyard can be inconsistent1 and unpredictable. By! reasons mentioned above and for other reasons, the impact-absorbing lanyards and lanyards can be improved. In addition, the methods of making lanyards can also be improved. Energy absorbing straps and energy absorbing straps can also be improved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0002] New energy absorbing straps are provided by the present invention. The present invention provides in particular new tear-absorbent impact lanyards. The present invention also provides novel methods of making lanyards. The new lanyards can be used to stop the fall of a person and reduce a force of shock felt by the user when the fall is stopped. In one embodiment, a girth has a first load carrying fabric, a second load carrying fabric and ligation elements formed integrally with the first and second load carrying fabrics as a one piece girth. The ligating elements together connect the first and second load carrying fabrics in an energy absorbing portion. The first and second load carrying fabrics are separated from each other in the energy absorbing portion by breaking the tie elements when a sufficient load is applied to the strap. The ligating elements can be ligature threads interlaced with the first and second load carrying fabrics. The first and second load carrying fabrics can be separated from one another after the breaking of the ligating elements, so that the first and second load carrying fabrics both bear the load applied to the girth. In the girth, the first load carrier fabric may have a left fabric end and a right fabric end, the second load carrier fabric may have a left fabric end and a right fabric end. The left cloth end of the first load carrier fabric is connected to the right cloth end of the second load carrier fabric and the right cloth end of the first load carrier fabric is connected to the left cloth end of the second load fabric. load carrier. The energy absorbing portion can extend towards opposite ends of the webbing from a center of the webbing. The fracture of the ligating elements may start at opposite ends of the energy absorbent portion and continue from both opposite ends towards a center of the energy absorbing portion. The first and second load carrier fabrics can be interchanged with each other, such that the first load carrying fabric changes from one upper side of the webbing to a lower side of the web and the second load carrying web changes from the other side. bottom of the strap to the upper side of the strap. The upper and lower load carrier fabrics can be exchanged within the energy absorbent portion or outside the energy absorbing portion. In the webbing that has the exchange of fabric, the upper side of: the webbing can have one end of left fabric and one end of right fabric and the bottom side of the webbing can have one end of web left and one end of fabric right. The left and right cloth ends of the upper side are connected together and the left and right cloth ends of the lower side are connected together. The first and second cargo carrying fabrics may have inner threads or backup threads. The backing yarns of the first load-bearing fabric can be interchanged with the inner threads or back-up yarns of the second load-bearing fabric. An upper side of the webbing may have a left cloth end and a right web end a bottom side of the webbing may have one end of left fabric and one right fabric end. The left and right cloth ends of the upper side are connected together and the left and right cloth ends of the lower side are connected together. A number of ligating elements connected to the first and second load carrying fabrics can vary along the energy absorbing portion. The energy absorbing portion may have a fracture initiation location and a fracture location location and there may be fewer ligating elements connected to the first and second load carrier fabrics juxtaposed to the fracture initiation location than the ligating elements connected in the first and second loading carrier fabrics juxtaposed to the end-of-fracture location. The first and second load carrier fabrics can be woven materials, knitted materials and combinations thereof. In another embodiment a web has a top layer load carrier fabric having yarns, a bottom layer load carrier fabric having ligation yarns and threads that together connect the top and bottom layer load carrier fabrics into an absorbent portion. of energy of the girth. The upper and lower layer load carrying fabrics are separable from each other in the energy absorbing portion by releasing the ligating threads. Carrier fabrics: top and bottom layer load and ligation threads are formed together as a one piece webbing. The upper and lower layer load carrying fabrics can be woven materials, knitted materials and combinations thereof. The ligating threads can be integrally entangled with the threads of the upper and lower layer load carrying fabrics. The upper and lower layer load carrier fabrics may be separated from each other in the energy absorbing portion by fracturing the ligature thread elements: when a sufficient load is applied to the strap, such that the load carrying fabrics of upper and lower layer both support the load applied to the strap. The upper and lower layer load carrier fabrics can be interchanged with each other in such a way that the yarns of the upper layer load carrier fabric change from an upper side of the girth to a lower side of the girth and the threads of the lower layer load carrier fabric change from the lower side of the webbing to the upper side of the webbing. The upper layer and lower layer load carrier fabrics can be interchanged within the energy absorbing portion In another embodiment, a tear-away belt has a first load bearing fabric having one end of left fabric and one end of right fabric , a second load carrier fabric having a left cloth end and a right cloth end and ligation elements releasably attaching the first and second load carrying fabrics together in an energy absorbing portion of the tear-away webbing. left cloth ends of the first load carrier fabric is connected to the right cloth end of the second load carrier fabric and the right cloth end of the first load carrier fabric is connected to the left cloth end of the second carrier fabric The first and second cargo carrier fabrics and the binding elements can be integrally formed as a webbing in one piece. The ligating elements can be fracture ligatures. The ligating elements can be interlaced ligature yarns with yarns of the first and second load carrying fabrics. In another embodiment, a tear-away web has a top-side load-carrying fabric having one end of left fabric and one end of right fabric, a load-carrying fabric of the bottom side having a left cloth end and: one end of right fabric, an exchange portion wherein a portion of the upper side load carrying fabric is exchanged with a portion of the lower side load carrying fabric and ligating elements releasably connecting the load bearing fabrics together side-upper and lower in an energy absorbing portion of the tear-away webbing. The left cloth end of the upper side load carrying fabric is connected to the right fabric end of the upper side load carrying fabric and the left cloth end of the lower side load carrying fabric is connected to the end of fabric right side of the cargo carrier fabric from the bottom side. : The exchange portion may be within the energy absorbing portion. The portions of cargo carrier fabrics The upper and lower side that is exchanged can be threads of the load carrying fabrics of upper and lower side. The upper and lower side loading carrier fabrics and the ligating elements can be formed integrally as a one piece web. The ligating elements can be fracturable ligature yarns. The ligating elements can be interlaced ligature yarns with yarns of the upper and lower side load carrying fabrics. An advantage of the present invention is to provide improved webbing, such as, improved shock or energy absorbing straps and improved tear-off shock absorbing straps. An advantage of the present invention is to provide a one-piece tearable energy absorbing webbing. Another advantage of the present invention is to provide tear-off energy absorbing webs having upper and lower layer load carrying fabrics and shock absorbing ligature yarns woven together as a one piece web.

Yet another advantage of the present invention is to provide lanyards that can stop the fall of a person while reducing the impact force on the person. Further advantages of the present invention are to improve the manufacture of webbing and reduce the cost of webbing. Another advantage of the present invention is to provide an energy absorbing web made of a one piece web that is torn during activation in two load carrying fabrics. Still a further advantage of the present invention is to control the activation forces of the energy absorbing straps. A further advantage of the present invention is to provide load limiters. Still another advantage of the present invention is to provide improved seat belt systems. Additional aspects and advantages of the present invention are described and will be apparent from the following detailed description of the invention and figures. The aspects and advantages may be desirable but are not necessarily required to carry out the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of an absorbent strap 1 of tear-off energy according to the principles of the present invention. Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of a tearable shock absorbing lanyard ready for use. Figure 3 is a schematic illustration of a tearable energy absorbing webbing of Figure 1 during manufacture. Figure 4 shows a knitting pattern of the tearable energy absorbing webbing of Figure 1. Figure 5 is a schematic illustration of the tear-off absorbent impact lanyard of Figure 2 during activation. Figure 6 is a schematic illustration of the tear-off absorbent impact lanyard of Figure 2 after use. Figure 7 is a schematic illustration of another tearable energy absorbing web according to the principles of the present invention. Figure 8 is a schematic illustration of another tearable tear-absorbent lanyard ready for use. Figure 9 shows a knitting pattern of the tearable energy absorbing webbing of Figure 7. Figure 10 is a schematic illustration of the tear-off absorbent impact lanyard of Figure 8 during activation. Figure 11 is a schematic illustration of the tear-off absorbent impact lanyard of Figure 8 after use. Figure 12 is a schematic illustration of a ligation yarn pattern according to the present invention. Figure 13 is a schematic illustration of a load limiter and a seat belt system. Figure 14 is a schematic illustration of the load limiter of Figure 13 during activation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides new straps. The present invention provides in particular new energy absorbing straps and new tear-absorbing impact straps that can absorb energy when a force is applied to the strap. When an abrupt force is applied to the girth, the present invention can reduce the impact of force. A new tear-absorbent shock absorbing web according to the present invention is a one-piece web having a top layer load carrier web and a bottom web bottom load web joined together by ligation threads. The upper and lower layer load carrying fabrics and the binding yarns can be woven simultaneously as a one piece web. The upper and lower layer load carrying fabrics are torn during the activation of the girth by fracturing the ligating threads to absorb energy or shock. The two torn cargo carrier fabrics bear the load applied to the girth. For example, torn fabrics can stop the fall of a person and bear the final load. Nevertheless, the present invention can be carried out in many different embodiments. An example of the present invention is shown in Figure 1 which shows a tear-absorbing shock-absorbing web 10. The tear-absorbent shock absorbing web I I has a top-loading load-carrying fabric 12, which I has a segment! of ligature 14 and arm segments 16 and 18 extending I from the ligature segment 16. The arm segment 16 has a cloth end 20 and the arm segment 18 has a cloth end 22. The tear-away shock absorbent strap 10 also has a lower layer load carrier fabric 24, which has a ligature segment 26 and arm segments 28 and 30 extending from the ligature segment 26. The arm segment 28 has a cloth end 32 and the arm segment 30 has a cloth end 34.

The top-layer load-carrying fabric 12 and the bottom-layer load-carrying fabric 24 are connected together by ligating threads 36 along a portion of the web 10. The portion of the web 10 having the ligating threads 36 which together connect the load carrying fabrics 12, 14 of upper and lower layer along the ligation segments 14, 26 is a shock absorbing portion 38 of the girth 10. Referring also to FIG. the webbing 10 is a tear-absorbent shock absorbing lanyard 11. The cloth end 20 of the arm segment 16 of the upper-load upper-load carrier fabric 12 is connected to the cloth end 34 of the arm segment 30 of the carrier fabric of load 24 of lower layer. Similarly, the cloth end 22 of the arm segment 18 of the upper load carrying fabric 12 is connected to the fabric end 32 of the arm segment 28 of the lower layer load carrier fabric 24. The cloth ends 20 and 34 connected together define the lanyard end 40 and the cloth ends 22 and 32 connected together define a lanyard end 42. Tooling connectors 44, 46, for example metal clamps, - can be provided at the ends of lanyard 40, 42 for connectoring the respective cloth ends 20, 34 and 22, 32 together and / or attaching the lanyard 11 absorbent of shock tearable to other devices or structures. 3 shows the shock absorbent strap 10 that can be torn during manufacture. A continuous web 48 comes from a loom and has multiple continuous tear-off shock absorbing lanyards. The continuous webbing 48 is cut into cutting sites 50, 52 to form an individual tearable shock absorbing web 10. The continuous webbing 48 and the tear-absorbing webbing 10 are formed as one piece webbing. The upper and lower layer load carrier fabrics 12, 14 and the tie yarns 36 are woven together simultaneously to form a one piece web, such as an individual tearable shock absorbing web 10 or the continuous webbing 48. Without However, an individual webbing 10 and continuous webbing 48 could be made of materials having any desired structure, for example, woven materials, knitted materials and combinations thereof. Also, the web 10 could be assembled from separate components instead of I woven as a one piece webbing. The lanyard 11 of Fig. 2 can also be manufactured as shown in Fig. 3 as well. The upper load carrier fabric 12 and the lower layer load carrier fabric 24 are connected together along the tie segments 14, 26. For example, the tie yarns 36 can be woven integrally or interwoven together with the fabrics upper and lower layer load carriers 12, 24. It is intended that the tie yarns 36 be fractured during activation or deployment of the tear-absorbent shock absorbing web 10 when sufficient force is applied to the web 10 which is further explained later in the present. Another example of the structure of the tie yarns 36 connected to the upper and lower layer load carrier fabrics 12, 24 is by knitting the load carrying fabrics 12, 24 in conjunction with the tie yarns 36. The yarns Ligation 36 are an example of ligation elements or energy absorbing elements suitable for use with the present invention. Examples of other ligating elements or appropriate energy absorbing elements include hook and loop fasteners, adhesives and the like. The ligating elements or energy absorbing elements can be formed integrally with the upper and lower load carrier fabrics in such a way that the upper and lower load carrier fabrics and the ligating elements form a one piece web. Alternatively, the ligating elements can be manufactured separately from the upper and lower load carrying fabrics and attached to the upper and lower load carrying fabrics. It is intended that the binding elements or energy absorbing elements absorb the energy or forces applied to the webbing during activation of the webbing. Also, the ligating elements or the energy absorbing elements allow the separation of the two load carrying fabrics joined in two separate webs that bear the load applied to the webbing. In other words, if the energy applied to the web 10 is sufficient to tear off the entire tear-off portion of the ligating threads 36, then the two load carrying fabrics 12, 24 stop the action of the load and bear the final load. Figure 4 shows a tissue pattern 54 of the tear-absorbent shock absorbing web 10. The fabric pattern 54 has backing yarns 56, 58 and weft yarns 60 that form the upper load carrier fabric 12 of the tear-absorbent shock absorbing web 10. The fabric pattern 54 also inner yarns or back-up yarns 62, 64 and weft yarns 66 that form the lower layer load carrier fabric 24. The tie yarns 68, 70 are interlocked with the inner yarns or backup yarns 56, 58, 62, 64 and the weft yarns 60, 66 and jointly bond the upper and lower layer load carrying fabrics 12, 24. The type of fabric, warp density, warp material size and type, weft density, weft material size and type of weft material and the The size of the ligation yarn material and type can be selected or varied as desired. Also, other yarns or components could be included in a site having the fabric pattern 54. The fabric pattern example 54 shown in Figure 4 has two main types of segments, fabric segments A and B. The segment of Fabric A on the left side of Figure 4 forms the arm segments 16, 28 shown in Figure 1. Likewise, the fabric segment A on the right side of Figure 4 forms the arm segments 18, 30. In the tissue segment A, the ligature yarns 68 are woven with the inner yarns or backup yarns 56, 58 and the ligating yarns 70 are woven with the yarns backed 62, 64. The woven segment B forms the shock absorbing portion 38 shown in Figure 1. In the fabric segment B, the tie yarns 68, 70 are woven with the backing yarns 56, 58, 62, 64 for interlacing the upper and lower layer load carrying fabrics 12, 24 Referring to Figure 2, the coined 11 absorbent is shown e) tear-off shock in a condition prepared for use and can be used as a fall protection device, for example. The shock absorbent portion 38 is folded or gathered in a packet. One of the lanyard ends 40 or 42 is securely attached to a safety harness worn by a user. The opposite lanyard end 40 or 42 is securely attached to a fixed structure or other load bearing structures. If the user falls, the tear-absorbent shock-absorbing lanyard 11 stops the person from falling and reduces the shock felt or experienced by the person as the user is quickly brought to a stop. Referring also to Figure 5, as the person falls, the tie threads 36 in the shock absorbent portion 38 begin to fracture under the load of the falling user. All the ligature threads 36 do not fracture simultaneously. Rather, the tie yarns 36 fracture successively along the length of the shock absorbent portion 38 as the shock absorbent portion 38 straightens and tears. The webbing 10 and lanyard 11 is torn by the load carrying fabrics of upper and lower layer 12, 24 which tear each other along the lengths of the ligating segments 14, 26 as the shock absorbing portion 38 is straightened. In the example of Figure 5, the ligation yarns 36 begin to fracture at both of the opposite ends of the shock absorbent portion 38. The shock absorbent portion 38 tears from both opposite ends towards the middle of the shock absorbing portion 38. The tearing action of the ligating threads 36 absorbs energy, slows the fall of the person and reduces the shock of stopping the user from falling. Referring to FIG. 6, the tear-absorbing impact lanyard 11 and webbing 10 are shown in a state of being completely torn. All the ligature threads! 36 have been fractured. The upper and lower layer load carrier fabrics I, 12 stop the person falling further and bear the person's load. The one-piece lanyard 11 essentially becomes two load-carrying fabrics when the lanyard 11 is torn. The shock of stopping the fall that would otherwise be experienced by the falling person is reduced or cushioned by the energy absorbent portion 38, shock absorber of the lanyard 11. Another tear-away shock absorbing strap according to the present invention is shown. schematically in Figure 7. The tear-off shock absorbing web 72 is similar to the tear-absorbent shock absorbing web 10 of Figure 1 except that the top and bottom layer load carrying fabrics 12, 24 are exchanged at approximately the midpoint 74. of the ligation segments i4, 26. The webbing fabric 72 has the top layer load carrier fabric 12 woven to the bottom at the midpoint 74. Also, the bottom layer load carrier fabric 24 is woven to the side upper at the midpoint 74. Thus, the layer, upper and lower load bearing fabrics 12, 24 are exchanged with each other. An aspect of the tear-absorbing shock absorbing webbing 72 is that a twisting that occurs in the lanyard 11 (Fig. 2) manufactured from the webbing 10 (Fig. 1) is prevented. The twisting in the lanyard 11 occurs when the cloth ends 20 and 34 are connected together and the cloth ends 22 and 32 are connected together (Figure 2). Figure 8 shows a lanyard 73 made of the webbing 72 and without the twist. In the lanyard 73, the cloth ends 20, 22, 32, 34 of the arm segments 16, 18, 28, 30 are connected together in a different manner as compared to the lanyard 11. The lanyard 73 has the fabric ends 20 and 22 connected together and cloth ends 32 and 34 connected together. Fig. 9 shows a fabric pattern 76 of the tear-absorbent shock absorbing web 72 and the tear-absorbing impact-laden 73. The fabric pattern 76 has backing yarns 78, 80 and weft yarns 82 that form the lower layer load carrier fabric 24. The upper and lower layer load bearing fabrics 12, 24 are exchanged in the woven pattern 76 More specifically, the backing yarns 78, 80 are fabrics of the upper-layer load-bearing fabric 12 to the lower-layer load-bearing fabric 24 and the back-up yarns 84, 86 are woven from the load-bearing fabric of the second layer. lower layer 24 to the upper layer load carrier fabric 12. ' The binding yarns 90, 92 are interlaced with the backing yarns 78, 80, 84, 86 and the weft yarns 82, 88 and link together the load carrying fabrics of the upper and lower layer 12, 24. The type of fabric, warp density, size and type of warp material, weft density, size and type of weft material, and the size and type of weft yarn material may be selected or varied as desired.

Also, other threads or components could be included in a web having the fabric pattern 76. The exemplary fabric pattern 76 shown in Figure 9 has five main types of segments, tissue segments Al, Bl, C, B2 and A2 . The fabric segments Al, A2 of Figure 9 form the arm segments 16, 28 and 18, 30 shown in Figure 7 and are similar to the fabric segments A, A of Figure 4. The fabric segments Bl, C, B2 of Figure 9 form the shock absorbing portion 38 shown in Figure 7. In the fabric segments Bl, C, B2, the ligating yarns 90, 92 are woven with the backup yarns 78, 80, 84 , 86 for interlocking the upper and lower layer load carrier fabrics 12, 24 as shown in the fabric segment B of Figure 4. The fabric segment C of I Figure 9 is an exchange segment wherein the fabrics upper and lower layer load carriers 12, 24 are interchanged, see the midpoint 74 of FIG. 7. In the first fabric segment C, the backing yarns 78, 80 are woven from the load carrier fabric of the web. upper layer 12 to the lower layer load carrier fabric 24 and backing yarns 84, 86 are woven from the carrier fabric of lower layer load 24 to the upper load carrier fabric 12. The fabric segments Al and A2 have basically the same structure, except for the exchange of the threads. This also applies! for the fabric segments Bl and B2. Thus, in this example of the tear-off absorbent webbing 72, the upper and lower layer load carrying webs 12, 24 are exchanged with each other. Referring to FIGS. 8 and 10, the lanyard 73 made of the tear-absorbing shock-absorbing webbing 72, having the upper and lower layer loading carrier fabrics 12, 24 that are exchanged, operates similar to the cinch 10 and lanyard 11 described previously. The lanyard 73 can be folded or assembled into a similar compact package as shown in Figure 8. As a sufficiently high loading force is applied to the lanyard 73, the lanyard 73 will tear to absorb energy and the shock of stopping a Fall person. Figure 10 shows the lanyard 73 during activation, that is, partially torn. Figure 11 shows the tear-absorbing impact lanyard 73 after being completely torn and supporting a load. The ligating threads 90, 92 are fractured and the lanyard 73 supports the fall load additionally. 1 The pattern of fabric 76 shown in Figure 9 is an example of crossover or exchange fabric patterns for the tear-absorbent shock-absorbing webbing. An additional exchange of the backup yarns 78, 80 with the backup yarns 84, 86 could be located anywhere along the webbing that in the fabric segment C. For example, the additional exchange could occur in a portion of the tissue segment A. In this mode, the tissue pattern would include, for example, from left to right, the Al segment - additional exchange segment - segment Al - segment Bl - segment C, etc. The tear-absorbent shock absorbing straps according to the present invention can be designed to have a desired activation force, that is, the force required to activate and tear the shock absorbing portion 38 (Figures 1 and 7) of the strap. The shock absorbent portion 38 may have several structures that provide different activation forces. Examples of different "Activating forces for a particular girth are a constant force and a variable force." Several aspects of the tear-absorbent shock-absorbing girth can be varied to obtain a particular force or force profile, eg, various aspects of the portion. Shock absorber 38 can be varied to provide a desired activation force.The type of ligating threads, resistance of the ligature yarns, number of ligature yarns, knitting pattern of the ligature yarns and other parameters of the ligature yarn can be selected as desired to provide desired activation forces. Fig. 12 shows a schematic plan view of a ligature thread pattern 96 (shaded portion of Fig. 12). Figure 12 is a top plan view of a tear-away shock absorbent strap 98 facing down the width or face 100 of the webbing 98. Figure 12 clearly shows only a portion of the webbing 98 from a center 102 that is extend to the left towards one end of the cinch. A reflected image of the illustration in Figure 12 would extend from center 102 to the right towards an opposite end of the webbing. The ligature thread pattern 96 is where the ligature yarns are intertwined with the upper and lower load carrier fabrics 12, 24 with a bond. The unshaded portion 104 of Figure 12 is where the tie threads do not intertwine the top and bottom layer load carrier fabrics 12, 24 together. Rather, the ligating threads are woven with their respective upper and lower fabrics 12, 24 and the upper and lower fabrics do not intertwine together. The pattern 96 of ligature yarn forms a wedge configuration as shown in the example of Figure 12. However, other desired shapes or patterns may be used. One aspect of the ligation yarn pattern of FIG. 12 is that the girth 98 has a varying activation force required to tear the upper and lower layer load carrying fabrics 12, 24. During the activation of the girth 98, the yarns of ligature will begin to fracture at opposite ends 106 (only one end 106 is shown in Figure 12) of the tie-wire pattern 96. As the strap 98 is activated (torn), the tie yarns fracture from the tie. ends 106, along the first ligation yarn pattern 96, to the center 102. The number of ligation yarns' intertwining the upper and lower layer loading carrier fabrics 12, 24 increases from the end 106 to the center 102 In other words, there are fewer ligature threads connected to the upper and lower layer load carrier fabrics 12, 24 juxtaposed to the fracture initiation site (end 106) of ligature threads connected to the carrier fabrics upper and lower layer 12, 24 juxtaposed to the end of fracture site (center 102). The increase in the number of interlaced ligature yarns increases the number of ligature yarns that must be fractured and thus 1, increases the activation force required to tear the upper and lower layer load carrier fabrics 12, 24. The amount The energy absorbed by the webbing 98 increases as the tearing action progresses. The user of a lanyard manufactured from the girth 98 will be subjected to a stop force gradually plus I increased as the girth 98 stops the user from falling. This reduces the shock experienced by the user. The change in the activating force of the strap 98 (such as the rate of increase in the activation force) can be adapted or designed to provide a profile of activation force as desired. The activation force profile can be designed for particular applications, such as light weight users, average weight users or heavy weight users, for example. The activation force profile of the strap 98 having the tie yarn pattern 96 is a gradual rate of increase of activation force from a minimum activation force at the end 106 to a maximum activation force in the area 108 in wherein all the ligating threads are interlaced with the upper and lower layer loading carrier fabrics 12, 24. Of course, the present invention provides other activation force profiles. The webs of the present invention can be made of any suitable materials for webbing, which includes appropriate materials for lanyards. For example, the straps can be made of synthetic materials, such as woven synthetic yarns to form the straps. Also, the straps could include elongation elements, such as POY straps or POY strands (partially oriented strands) for example, if desired. The webs of the present invention can be used in a wide variety of applications. For example, the straps can be used as shock absorbing lanyards for safety harnesses. Shock absorbing lanyards according to the present invention can stop a person from falling while absorbing at least some of the impact force due to the stoppage of the fall that would otherwise be experienced by the person. Figure 13 shows an example of a load limiter 110 having the energy absorbing strap 72 shown in Figure 7. The load limiter 110 is used in a seat belt system 112 for a passenger seat 114. One or more load limiters 110 may be used with the seat belt system 112 as desired, for example the load limiter 110a may also be used with the seat belt system 112. The load limiter 110 has a structure similar to lanyard 73 of the figure 8 - The load limiter 110 has cloth ends 20, 22 (see also, Figure 7) connected to a portion of the shoulder seat belt 116. At the opposite end of the load limiter 110, the cloth ends 32, 34 (see also figure 7) are connected to a fixed securing point 118. Similarly, the load limiter 110a has cloth ends 20, 22 connected to a seatbelt buckle 120. The load limiter 110a has cloth ends 32, 34 connected to a fixed anchor point 122. Although the load limiters 110, 110a are shown connected to fixed anchor points 118, 122, the limiters of load can be connected to seat belt system 112 in other arrangements as desired.

The load limiters 110, 110a operate to absorb energy as discussed above with respect to other embodiments of the invention. For example, Figure 14 shows the load limiter 110 during activation. When a force of sufficient magnitude is applied to the load limiter 110, the ligature material in the tear-off section breaks and absorbs energy. The load limiters 110, 110a and the seat belt system 112 can reduce the shock applied to a passenger seated in the passenger seat 114 when a vehicle stops abruptly or comes to a stop. The load limiters 110, 110a are described as having the energy absorbing web 72 described above. However, other embodiments of the present invention may also be appropriate for use in load limiters. Other energy absorbing energy absorbing structures are also suitable for use with the seat belt system 110 or load limiters. By way of example, the disclosure in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 10 / 790,394 filed March 1, 2004 incorporated herein by reference may also be appropriate for load limiters. An alternative load limiter manufactured in accordance with the disclosure in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 10 / 790,394 is the load limiter 124. It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent. for those experienced in art. Such changes and modifications can be made without deviating from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its proposed advantages. Accordingly, it is intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims.

Claims (30)

1. CLAIMS 1. A strap characterized in that it comprises: a first load carrier fabric; a second load carrying fabric; and ligating elements formed integrally with the first and second load carrying fabrics as a one piece webbing, the ligation elements connect the first and second load carrying fabrics together in an energy absorbing portion, the first and second carrier fabrics of The charges are separated from each other in the energy absorbing portion by fracture of the tie elements when a sufficient load is applied to the strap.
2. 2. The girth according to claim 1, characterized in that the ligating elements are ligature threads intertwined with the first and second load carrying fabrics.
3. 3. The girth according to claim 1, characterized in that when the first and second load bearing fabrics are separated from each other after the fracture of the ligating elements, the first and second load bearing fabrics both bear the load applied to the load. the cinch The strap according to claim 1, characterized in that: the first load carrying fabric has a left cloth end and a right cloth end; the second load carrier fabric has a left cloth end and a right cloth end; the left cloth end of the first load carrying fabric is connected to the right cloth end of the second load carrying fabric; and the right cloth end of the first load carrying fabric is connected to the left cloth end of the second load carrying fabric. 5. The girth according to claim 1, characterized in that the energy absorbing portion extends towards opposite ends of the girth from a center of the girth. The strap according to claim 1, characterized in that the fracture of the ligating elements starts at opposite ends of the energy absorbing portion and continues from opposite ends towards the center of the energy absorbing portion. The girth according to claim 1, characterized in that the first and second load carrying fabrics are interchanged with each other, in such a way that the first load bearing fabric changes from an upper side of the girth to a lower side of the girth. webbing and the second load carrier web changes from the bottom side of the webbing to the top side of the webbing. 8. The web according to claim 7, characterized in that the upper and lower load carrier fabrics are exchanged within the energy absorbing portion. The girth according to claim 7, characterized in that the upper and lower load carrier fabrics are exchanged outside the energy absorbing portion. The strap according to claim 7, characterized in that: the upper side of the strap has a left cloth end and a right cloth end; the lower side of the cinch has one end of left cloth and one end of right cloth; the left and right cloth ends of the upper side are connected together; and the left and right cloth ends of the bottom side with connected together. 11. The girth according to claim 1, characterized in that the first and second load carrier fabrics have back-up yarns and the back-up yarns of the first load-bearing cloth are exchanged with the back-up yarns of the second load-bearing fabric. of cargo. 12. The girth according to claim 11, characterized in that: the upper side of the girth has a left fabric end and a right fabric end; the lower side of the webbing has a left cloth end and a right cloth end; the left and right cloth ends of the upper side are connected together, and the left and right cloth ends of the bottom side are connected together. 13. The girth according to claim 1, characterized in that the amount of ligating elements connected to the first and second load bearing fabrics varies along the energy absorbing portion. The girth according to claim 13, characterized in that the energy absorbing portion has a fracture initiation site and a fracture end site and where there are fewer ligating elements connected to the first and second load carrier fabrics. juxtaposed to the fracture initiation site connecting the ligating elements connected to the first and second load carrier fabrics juxtaposed to the end of fracture location. 15. The girth according to claim 1, characterized in that the first and second load carrying fabrics are selected from the group consisting of woven materials, knitted materials and combinations thereof. 16. A strap characterized in that it comprises: a top layer load carrying fabric having yarns; a lower layer load carrying fabric having yarns; and tie threads connecting the upper and lower layer load carrier fabrics together in an energy absorbing portion of the webbing, the upper and lower layer load carrier webs are separable from each other in the energy absorbing portion by the release of the ligature threads; upper and lower layer load carrying fabrics and ligation yarns formed together as a one piece web. 17. The girth according to claim 16, characterized in that the upper and lower layer load carrying fabrics are selected from the group consisting of woven materials, knitted materials and combinations thereof. 18. The girth according to claim 16, characterized in that the ligature threads are integrally entangled with the threads of the upper and lower layer load carrying fabrics. 19. The girth according to claim 16, characterized in that the upper and lower layer load carrying fabrics are separated from each other in the energy absorbing portion I by fracturing the ligation yarn elements when sufficient load is applied to the girth, the upper and lower layer load carrier fabrics both support the load applied to the girth. 20. The girth in accordance with the claim 16, characterized in that the upper and lower layer load carrier fabrics are interchanged with each other in such a way that the yarns of the upper layer load carrier fabric change from an upper side of the girth to a lower side of the girth and the threads of the lower layer load carrier web change from the bottom side of the web to the top side of the web. 21. The girth in accordance with claim 20, characterized? because the upper and lower layer load carrying fabrics are exchanged within the energy absorbing portion. 22. A tear-away strap characterized in that it comprises: a first load carrier fabric having a left cloth end and a right cloth end; a second load carrier fabric having a left cloth end and a right cloth end; and ligating elements releasably connecting the first and second load carrying fabrics together in an energy absorbing portion portion of the tear-away girth; the left cloth end of the first load carrier fabric connected to the right cloth end of the second load carrier fabric; and the right cloth end of the first load carrying fabric connected to the left cloth end of the second load carrying fabric. 23. The tear-away girth according to claim 22, characterized in that the first and second load carrying fabrics and the ligating elements are formed integrally as a one-piece girth. 23. La! tearable girth according to claim 22, characterized in that the ligating elements are fracturable ligature yarns. 24. The tear-away web according to claim 22, characterized in that the ligating elements are ligature threads interlaced with threads of the first and second load carrying fabrics. 25. A tear-away strap characterized in that I I comprises: a top-side load carrier fabric having a left cloth end and a right cloth end; a load carrying fabric of the lower side having a left cloth end and a right cloth end; an exchange portion, wherein a portion of the upper-side load carrying fabric is exchanged with a portion of the lower-load carrying fabric, and ligating elements releasably connecting the upper-side load carrying fabrics. and lower jointly in an energy absorbing portion of the tear-away webbing; the left cloth end of the upper side load carrying fabric connected to the right cloth end of the upper load carrier fabric, and the left cloth end of the lower side load carrying fabric connected to the right fabric end of the carrier side loading cloth1. 26. The tearable strap according to claim 25, characterized in that the exchange portion is within the energy absorbing portion. 27. The tearable strap according to claim 25, characterized in that the portions of the upper and lower side load carrying fabrics that interchange are yarns of the upper and lower side load carrying fabrics. 28. The tearable strap according to claim 25, characterized in that the upper and lower side load carrying fabrics and the ligating elements are formed integrally as a one piece web. 29. The tearable strap according to claim 25, characterized in that the ligating elements are fracturable ligature yarns. 30. The tear-away strap according to claim 25, characterized in that the ligating elements are ligature threads interlaced with threads of the upper and lower side load carrying fabrics.