WO2019157537A1

WO2019157537A1 - Harness connection point

Info

Publication number: WO2019157537A1
Application number: PCT/ZA2018/050009
Authority: WO
Inventors: Johan Paul DU TOIT
Original assignee: ATKINSON, Elsa, Naëtt
Priority date: 2018-02-07
Filing date: 2018-02-07
Publication date: 2019-08-15
Also published as: ZA202005477B; CN111712306A

Abstract

The invention provides a harness connection point (10) for connecting a rope (20) to a harness and a fall arrest device or rope access descender. In particular, the invention relates to a connection point (10) for connecting a lanyard to a fall arrest, rope access or rope harness. The connection point (10) including, a body (12), an attachment means (14) for attaching the body (12) to a harness and one or more friction apertures (18) defined in the body (12), which are configured and dimensioned to receive a rope (20) twice therethrough, in a loop-like configuration and in a friction fit, which loop-like configuration closes under friction provided by the friction fit when the rope (20) is under tension thereby acting as a shock absorber.

Description

HARNESS CONNECTION POINT

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a harness connection point for connecting a connector or a rope to a harness. In particular, this invention relates to a harness connection point for connecting a lanyard to a fall arrest, rope access or rope rescue harness.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention, there is provided a harness connection point including: - a body; an attachment means for attaching the body to a harness; and one or more friction apertures defined in the body, which are configured and dimensioned to receive a rope twice therethrough, in a loop-like configuration and in a friction fit, which loop-like configuration closes under friction provided by the friction fit when the rope is under tension thereby acting as a shock absorber.

It is to be understood that the loop-like configuration may be in the form of a loop when one aperture is provided. Further, it is to be understood that the loop-like configuration may be in the form of a hairpin-loop when two or more apertures are provided.

A second attachment means may be provided for attaching any other device/s to the body. The device/s may be selected from, but not limited to: a carabiner, a rope, and a support structure. The second attachment means may be a conventional D-ring formation. The attachment means may be in the form of a slit defined in the body for allowing a strap of the harness to pass therethrough. The slit may be defined between the D-ring formation and the friction apertures. Accordingly, the strap may enter and pass through the slit from a first side of the body and thereafter enter and pass through an opening of the D-ring formation from a second side of the body.

The body may be any geometric shape, preferably U-shaped in side view with the attachment means being positioned near the middle of a bend of the body so that, in use, the D-ring formation and an aperture portion of the body including the friction apertures extends away from a person wearing the harness thereby allowing the person easy access to the friction apertures and the D-ring formation. The body may be manufactured from any suitable rigid and/or resilient material selected from the group including: stainless steel, alloy, aluminium alloy, carbon and plastic.

Alternatively, the body may be configured to be flat wherein, the attachment means may be positioned at a first end region of the body, the second attachment means positioned at a second end region of the body, opposite to the first end region and the friction aperture/s positioned between the attachment means and the second attachment means.

In a first embodiment of the invention, a pair of friction apertures may be defined in the body for allowing the rope to be weaved twice therethrough, typically in a wave-like manner. In accordance with the wave-like manner, the rope may enter a first friction aperture of the pair of friction apertures from an entering side of the body and exit the first friction aperture on an exit side of the body, thereafter, the rope may enter the second friction aperture of the pair of friction apertures from the exiting side of the body and exit the second friction aperture of the pair of friction apertures on the entering side of the body. The rope may be weaved/arranged to form the hairpin loop between the friction apertures such that a length of the rope forming the hairpin loop is greater than a distance between the pair of friction apertures. In a second embodiment of the invention, there may be four friction apertures defined in the body allowing for the rope to be weaved therethrough, typically in the wave-like manner to form three loop-like configurations. The middle loop-like configuration may be larger and may be a hairpin loop wherein, a length of the rope forming the hairpin loop is greater than a distance between the friction apertures between which the hairpin loop is formed.

In a third embodiment of the invention, five friction apertures may be defined in the body for allowing a first rope to be weaved/arranged four times therethrough to form three loop-like configurations similar to the second embodiment. The fifth and middle friction aperture may allow for a second rope to be received therethrough transverse to the first rope and through the central shock absorbing hairpin loop formed by the first rope.

It is to be appreciated that the number of friction apertures can be provided in a number of configurations to receive one of more ropes with or without a shock absorbing loop.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A harness connection point in accordance with the invention will now be described by way of the following, non-limiting examples with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings: -

Figures 1 and 2 are a three-dimensional schematic of a harness connection point in accordance with the present invention; Figure 3 is a bottom view of the harness connection point showing an aperture portion and the dimensions of features illustrated therein;

Figure 4 is a three-dimensional schematic of an alternate version of the harness connection point; Figure 5 includes (A) aside view of figure 4 and (B) is a plan view of figure 4, both of which indicate the dimensions of features illustrated therein;

Figures 6 is a top view of the harness connection point as illustrated in figures 1 and 2;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the harness connection point as illustrated in figures 1 and 2;

Figure 8 is a side view of the harness connection point as illustrated in figures 1 and 2;

Figure 9 is a rear view of the harness connection point as illustrated in figures 1 and 2; Figure 10 is a perspective view of the harness connection point as seen in figure 7 including a rope;

Figure 1 1 is a rear view of the harness connection point as seen in figure 9 including the rope;

Figure 12 is a side view of the harness connection point as seen in figure 8 including the rope;

Figure 13 is a top view of the harness connection point as seen in figure 6 including the rope;

Figure 14 is a top view of the harness connection point as seen in figure 13 including a strap of a harness; Figure 15 is perspective view of the harness connection point as seen in figure 10 including the strap of the harness;

Figure 16 is a side view of the harness connection point as seen in figure 12 including the strap of the harness; Figure 17 is a rear view of the harness connection point as seen in figure 1 1 including the strap of the harness;

Figure 18 is a top view of the harness connection point as seen in figure 14 including a second rope; Figure 19 is a perspective view of the harness connection point as seen in figure 15 including the second rope;

Figure 20 is a side view of the harness connection point as seen in figure 16 including the second rope;

Figure 21 is a rear view of the harness connection point as seen in figure 17 including the second rope;

Figure 22 is a top view of the harness connection point as seen in figure 18 including a carabiner;

Figure 23 is a perspective view of the harness connection point as seen in figure 19 including the carabiner; Figure 24 is a side view of the harness connection point as seen in figure 20 including the carabiner; and

Figure 25 is a rear view of the harness connection point as seen in figure 21 including the carabiner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now generally to the drawings reference numeral 10 denotes an embodiment of a harness connection point in accordance with the present invention. The harness connection point 10 includes a body 12, an attachment means in the form of a slit 14 defined in the body 12, for allowing a strap 16 of a harness (not shown) to pass therethrough thereby attaching the body 12 to the harness. One or more friction apertures 18 are defined in the body 12 which are configured and dimensioned to receive a rope 20 twice therethrough in a loop-like configuration and in a friction fit, which loop-like configuration closes under friction provided by the friction fit when the rope 20 is under tension thereby acting as a shock absorber. When two or more friction apertures 18 are provided, the loop-like configuration can be in the form of a hairpin loop 22 (as can be seen in figure 7).

A second attachment means in the form of a D-ring formation 24 is provided for attaching any other device/s to the body 12 as can best be seen in figures 1 and 2. The device/s can be selected from, but is not limited to: a carabiner 26 (as can be seen in figures 22 to 25), a rope and, a support structure (not shown). In an attached condition, a weight of a person can be supported by the support structure preferably via the rope and/or the carabiner 26 which is attached to the D-ring formation 24.

The slit 14 is defined in the body 12 between the D-ring formation 24 and the frictions aperture/s 18. The slit 14 can be configured to be of varying dimensions to allow for strap(s) 16 of varying dimensions to pass therethrough.

The body 12 is manufactured from any rigid and/or resilient material, typically stainless steel.

In figures 1 and 2, the body 12 is configured to be U-shaped in side view with the slit 14 being positioned generally in the middle of a bend 28 of the U-shaped body 12. Accordingly, the D-ring formation 24 and an aperture portion 30 of the body 12 defining the aperture/s 18 flank the bend 28 and therefore the slit 14 so that in use, the D-ring formation 24 and the aperture portion 30 extends away from a person (not shown) wearing the harness thereby allowing the person easy access to the friction aperture/s 18 and the D-ring formation 24.

The aperture portion 30 has five friction apertures 18.1 to 18.5 defined therein in a trapezoidal arrangement. Four of the five friction apertures 18.1 to 18.4 are dimensioned and configured to allow for the rope 20 to be weaved therethrough, typically in the wave-like manner (as can best be seen in figures 10 to 13). In accordance with the wave-like manner, the rope 20 enters a first friction aperture 18.1 from an entering side 32 of the body 12 and exits the first friction aperture 18.1 on an exit side 34 of the body 12, thereafter the rope 20 enters a second friction aperture 18.2 from the exiting side 34 of the body 12 and exits the second friction aperture 18.2 on the entering side 32 of the body 12. As explained above, the wave like manner is followed until the rope 20 is weaved through all four friction apertures 18.1 to 18.4. The rope 20 is weaved to form a hairpin loop 22 between friction apertures 18.2 and 18.3 such that a length of the rope 20 forming the hairpin loop 22 is greater than a distance between friction apertures 18.2 and 18.3. Referring to figures 18 to 21 , the fifth friction aperture 18.5 is dimensioned and configured to allow for a second rope 36 to be received therethrough transversely relative to the weaved rope 20. The second rope 36 is arranged to pass through the hairpin loop 22. The trapezoidal arrangement of the friction apertures 18.1 to 18.5 defined in the aperture portion 30 allows for even distribution of tension exerted by the ropes when in use. Accordingly, and with reference to figure 3, the radial distance between the centre of apertures 18.1 and 18.2, 18.2 and 18.3 and, 18.3 and 18.4 is 120^Q respectively whilst the centres of friction apertures 18.1 , 18.5 and 18.4 are equidistant apart. The friction apertures 18.1 to 18.5 can be configured to be of varying dimensions so as to receive varying rope 20 diameters therethrough. Typically, each aperture 18.1 to 18.5 is dimensioned to have a diameter of 1 1 mm.

As can best be seen in figures 14 to 17, the strap 16 enters and passes through the slit 14 from a first side 38 of the body 12 and thereafter enters and passes through an opening 46 of the D-ring formation 24 from a second side 40 of the body 12 opposite to the first side 38 thereby allowing for the attachment of the harness to the body 12. The slit may be dimensioned to have a width +/- min 3 mm to max 5 mm and length of +/- min 25 mm to max 50 mm respectively. The D-ring formation 24 is dimensioned to have a width and a length of +/- min 70 mm x 70 mm respectively.

Alternatively, and with reference to figures 4 and 5, the body 12 is configured to be flat, wherein the slit 14 is defined at a first end region 42 of the body 12 and the D-ring formation 24 is provided at a second end region 44 of the body 12, opposite to the first end region 42. The friction aperture/s 18 defined in the body 12 are positioned between the slit 14 and the D-ring formation 24. A pair of friction apertures 18.1 and 18.2 are defined in body 12, shaped and configured to receive the rope 20, weaved twice therethrough, typically in the wave-like manner as described above. The rope 20 is weaved to form the hairpin loop 22 between the pair of friction apertures 18.1 and 18.2 such that a length of the rope 20 forming the hairpin loop 22 is greater than a distance between the pair of friction apertures 18.1 and 18.2. The pair of friction apertures 18.1 and 18.2 can be configured to be of varying dimensions so as to receive varying rope 20 dimeters therethrough. Typically, each aperture 18.1 and/or 18.2 is dimensioned to have a diameter of 1 1 mm. The distance from the centre of each aperture 18.1 and 18.2 is 17mm. The slit 14 is dimensioned to have a width of 5mm and a length of up to 55 mm. The D- ring formation 24 is dimensioned to have a width of 44 mm and a length of 34 mm.

In use, the friction apertures 18 allow for the attachment of one or more ropes 20 and 36 to the harness via the harness connection point 10 without the use of bulky knots conventionally tied when using conventional D-rings. In the event that the rope 20 is tensile as a result of the person falling, the hairpin loop 22 closes under friction provided by the friction apertures 18, wherein resistance to the movement of the rope 20 relative the friction apertures 18 increases as the hairpin loop 22 closes allowing for a gradual closing of the hairpin loop 22 therefore acts as a shock absorber in the event of a fall reducing the chances of injury to a user.

Although only certain embodiments of the invention have been described herein, it will be understood by any person skilled in the art that other modifications, variations, and possibilities of the invention are possible. Such modifications, variations and possibilities are therefore to be considered as falling within the spirit and scope of the invention and hence form part of the invention as herein described and/or exemplified. It is further to be understood that the examples are provided for illustrating the invention further and to assist a person skilled in the art with understanding the invention and is not meant to be construed as unduly limiting the reasonable scope of the invention.

The applicant believes that a harness connection point in accordance with the present invention allows for the attachment of a rope or rope lanyard to a harness without the use of bulky knots allowing for better freedom of movement of the user and therefore provides more comfort to the user. The harness connection point also aids in the reduction of injury as a result of tensile ropes as a result of a fall as it provides for shock absorbing features. It allows for multiple ropes to be attached and easily adjusted. It distributes tensile load more evenly along the harness connection point, avoids the risk of conventional knots becoming undone, avoids the user bearing the weight of multiple conventional knots and reduces the chances of ropes becoming tangled. The harness connection point offers a safer, more efficient and convenient way of attaching a rope or rope lanyard to a harness.

Claims

1. A harness connection point which includes: - a body; an attachment means for attaching the body to a harness; and one or more friction apertures defined in the body, which are configured and dimensioned to receive a rope twice therethrough, in a loop-like configuration and in a friction fit, which loop-like configuration closes under friction provided by the friction fit when the rope is under tension.

2. A connection point as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the loop-like configuration is in the form of a loop when one friction aperture is defined in the body.

3. A connection point as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the loop-like configuration is in the form of a hairpin-loop when two or more friction apertures are defined in the body.

4. A connection point as claimed in claim any one or more of claims 1 to 3, wherein a second attachment means is provided for attaching any other device(s), such as a rope, a support structure or a carabiner, to the body.

5. A conection point as claimed in claim 4, wherein the second attachment means is in the form of a conventional D-ring formation.

6. A connection point as claimed in Claim 4 or 5, wherein the attachment means is in the form of a slit defined in the body for allowing a strap of the harness to pass therethrough.

7. A connection point as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the body is U-shaped in side view.

8. A connection point as claimed in claim 7, wherein the attachment means is positioned near the middle of a bend of the U-shaped body so that, in use, the second attachment means and an aperture portion of the body which includes the friction aperture(s), extends away from a person wearing the harness.

9. A connection point as claimed in any one or more of claims 4 to 6 wherein the body is configured to be flat.

10. A connection point as claimed in claim 9 wherein the attachment means is defined at a first end region of the body and the second attachment means is defined at a second end region of the body, opposite to the first end region.

1 1. A connection point as claimed in any one or more of the preceding claims wherein four friction apertures are defined in the body, configured to form a trapezoidal arrangement.

12. A connection point as claimed in any one or more of the preceding claims wherein five friction apertures are defined in the body.

13. A connection point according to the invention, substantially as described herein.