This application claims priority from British patent applications GB 0308440.7 filed Apr. 11, 2003, and GB 0304041.7 filed Feb. 21, 2003.
THE PRESENT INVENTION relates to a fitting for a harness. More particularly, the present invention is directed towards a fitting secured to or securable to a harness, and being connectable to a tether.
Harnesses configured to be worn around the body of a person, and being connectable to the end of a tether are well known. Harnesses of this general type are often used in a wide range of sports or outdoor pursuits. One particular area in which harnesses of this type are often used is in the sport of sailing.
It is important when sailing a sail boat for the crew of the boat to position their weight appropriately in order to balance the heeling force of the wind acting upon the sails of the boat. This is important not only to prevent the boat from capsizing, but also to ensure that the boat is sailing with its mast as close to the vertical position as possible to ensure that the hull of the boat is working efficiently through the water.
As will be appreciated, in windy conditions it is therefore important for the crew of a sail boat to position their weight as far outboard as possible in order to maximise the righting moment of their body weight. It is therefore common in smaller sail boats such as high performance dinghies and small catamarans to use a “trapeze” arrangement in order to position the body weight of one or more crew members as far outboard as practicable. A “trapeze” arrangement essentially comprises a tether in the form of a length of wire or rope anchored to the mast of the sail boat at a position spaced significantly above the foot of the mast. The tether line, or “trapeze wire” as it is commonly known, carries a loop of any convenient shape at its lowermost end. A crew member using a trapeze wire wears a body harness which is typically provided with a downwardly turned hook, although an upwardly turned hook is equally possible. The hook is provided at the front of the harness in the waist region of the harness and is configured to hook onto the loop carried by the lowermost end of the trapeze wire. The crew member is therefore able to attach the lower end of the trapeze wire to his or her trapeze harness using the downwardly turned hook, and thereafter move to a position in which he or she effectively hangs from the trapeze wire with his or her feet bearing against the gunwhale of the boat or against an outermost surface of a rack of wing extending outboard from the gunwhale. A person “trapezing” in this manner typically adopts a “standing” position in which his or her body extends outboard from the surface against which his or her feet are resting. Of course, it is equally possible for the hook to be provided on the end of the trapeze wire, and for the loop to be provided on the harness.
In order to ensure a secure connection between the trapeze wire and the harness to prevent accidental disengagement, the hook provided on the above-mentioned type of harness is fixed with respect to the body of the harness in order to prevent inadvertent unhooking of the trapeze wire.
It has been found that known trapeze harness arrangements of the general type described above can suffer from disadvantages, particularly where the crew member wishes to unhook the trapeze wire from their harness in an emergency. Because of the nature of the types of sail boats which use trapeze arrangements, the boats can be unstable and/or can travel at considerable speed. It is not uncommon for these type of boats to capsize or change attitude very quickly. It has therefore been found that in some instances of capsize or other violent movements, trapezing crew members can become trapped against the rigging of the boat or become trapped under the hull or sails of the boat when capsized. There have been instances where crew members trapped in such positions have been unable to unhook their harnesses from the trapeze wires, therefore preventing easy escape.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved fitting for a harness and a harness provided with such a fitting. However, whilst the arrangement of the present invention is particularly suitable for use with trapeze harnesses in the sport of sailing, it should be appreciated that the invention can also find application in many other areas where a harness is worn such as, for example, kite-surfing, wind-surfing, paragliding, mining, pot-holing, window cleaning and forestry.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fitting for a harness, the fitting comprising: a first part secured to or securable to a harness, a second part connectable to a tether, and a mechanism to releasably interconnect the first and second parts, one of said parts having a plurality of locking apertures or recesses and said mechanism comprising: a plurality of locking members each having a rounded or tapered locking part sized to be received within a respective said locking aperture or recess; and a locking element moveable between a locking position and a release position, the locking element being configured to urge each locking member into a position in which its locking part is received within a respective said locking aperture or recess when in said locking position but to allow each locking member to move out of said respective locking aperture or recess when in said release position.
Preferably each said locking member is constrained for linear movement towards and away from each respective locking aperture or recess.
Preferably, said locking element is biased towards said locking position.
Conveniently, said locking element is biased by a spring.
Advantageously, each said locking aperture or recess defines a respective peripheral seat, and the rounded or tapered locking part of each said locking member is sized to engage a respective said seat when urged into said respective locking aperture or recess but not to pass completely through said seat.
Preferably, each said peripheral seat is substantially circular.
Conveniently each said locking member is a ball.
Preferably, each locking member is provided in a linear channel to restrict the locking member to substantially linear movement.
Advantageously, said locking element is arranged for movement between said locked and release positions along an axis substantially perpendicular to the axis of each said channel.
Conveniently, said locking element has a respective bearing surface to bear against each said locking member when the locking element is in said locking position, and a respective recess to receive each said locking member when the locking element is in said release position.
Preferably, said locking apertures or recesses are provided in said second part, and said locking members and said locking element are provided on said first part.
Advantageously, each said locking member is held captive between said locking element and a respective retaining aperture formed in said first part, each said retaining aperture being sized to prevent the respective locking member from passing completely therethrough, whilst allowing the respective locking member to project sufficiently therethrough to engage a respective seat defined on the second part.
Conveniently, each said retaining aperture is substantially circular and has a smaller diameter than each said seat.
Preferably, said second part has a hook for connection to said tether. However, other types of connection are also possible.
Alternatively, said second part has a loop for connection to said connection to said tether.
Advantageously, the fitting has an actuator button configured to urge said locking element towards said release position when pressed or pulled.
Conveniently, said actuator button is formed as part of said locking element.
Preferably, the fitting comprises a guard arrangement configured to extend at least partly around said actuator button to prevent the button from being accidentally pressed.
Advantageously, said plurality of locking apertures or recesses comprise at least one pair of opposed locking apertures or recesses.
Conveniently, the fitting comprises a plurality of said pairs of locking apertures or recesses and a plurality of respective pairs of locking members.
Preferably, wherein the locking element is arranged to urge the locking members of the or each said pair of locking members apart from one another into said respective locking apertures or recesses.
Preferably, each said interlocking aperture or recess is provided at a position adjacent at least one other said locking aperture or recess.
Advantageously, said locking apertures or recesses are all aligned with one another.
Conveniently, a plurality of locking apertures are provided through a plate carried by said second part.
Preferably, the locking element is arranged to urge at least two of said locking members towards one another in order that their locking parts become received within respective said locking apertures or recesses.
Advantageously, three locking apertures or recesses are provided, and three locking members are provided, two of said locking members being arranged to move in the same direction as one another towards respective locking apertures or recesses.
Conveniently, the locking element is arranged to urge at least two of said locking members in the same direction as one another in order that their locking parts become received within respective said locking apertures or recesses.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a harness having a fitting as defined above.
So that the invention may be more readily understood, and so that further features thereof may be appreciated, embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
With reference to
The first part 2 of the fitting comprises an elongate frame 4 which is bent from a length of rigid metal bar. The frame 4 defines a pair of rearwardly directed arms 5, each of which has a generally rectangular configuration and comprises a pair of rearwardly directed bar portions 6 which are interconnected by a terminal bar portion 7. Spaced slightly inwardly from each terminal bar portion 7, there is provided a securing bar 8 which extends between the two bar portions 6 of each arm 5. Each securing bar 8 is welded at each end to a respective bar portion 6. An elongate slot 9 is thus defined between the terminal bar portion 7 and the securing bar 8 of each arm 5.
The central region of the frame 4 comprises a pair of central bar portions 10, each of which extends between a bar portion 6 of each arm 5.
The frame 4 defining the two arms 5 is mounted centrally on a base plate 11 which is generally square or rectangular, but which has two opposed side regions bent inwardly to define a pair of inwardly directed flanges 12. Each flange 12 has a linear inner edge 13 and defines a respective elongate channel 14 between itself and the rear part of the base plate 11. The frame 4 is secured to the base plate 11 by four welds 15 in the regions of the ends of each inwardly directed flange 12.
A smaller rectangular frame 16 is mounted to the base plate 11, and is oriented such that its longitudinal axis is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the frame 4 defining the pair of arms 5. The smaller frame 16 is mounted to the base plate 11 such that its two longitudinal bar portions 17 are each received within a respective channel 14 defined by the inwardly directed flanges 12. The smaller frame 16 is again welded to the base plate. As illustrated most clearly in
Secured, again by welding, to the base plate 11, between the two inwardly turned flanges 12, is an elongate channel 20 of substantially rectangular cross section. The channel 20 comprises a front wall 21 and a pair of side walls 22. Each side wall 22 extends forwardly from the base plate 11 at a position spaced slightly inwards from the longitudinal edge 13 of a respective flange 12. Each side wall 22 is provided with two-spaced apart circular retaining apertures 23 (
The rectangular channel 20 encloses a locking mechanism which will be described in more detail hereinafter.
Having regard to
As indicated above, the channel 20 provided on the base plate 11 houses a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism will now be described, in more detail, with reference to
As illustrated in
The cartridge 31 comprises a pair of substantially identical plastic mouldings 32, as illustrated in
As will be seen from the right hand cartridge moulding 32 illustrated in
Along the longitudinal edges of the cartridge moulding 32, there are provided raised regions 39 which are substantially level with the upstanding projection 37. A linear inwardly directed shoulder 40 is defined by the inner surface of each raised portion 39.
As illustrated in
The locking element 41 is generally planar but is bent forwardly at one end to define a lip 44 which will serve as an actuating button. A rectangular slot 45 is formed through the locking element 41, the width of the slot being sized to receive the projection 37 as a sliding fit. The width of the locking element 41 is such that the locking element 41 as a whole can be mounted on the cartridge moulding 32 illustrated in
As also illustrated in
As clearly illustrated in
When the components illustrated in
The locking mechanism 30, when assembled as illustrated in
As illustrated most clearly in
The normal position of the operative parts of the mechanism 30 are generally as indicated in
It will therefore be appreciated that when the locking mechanism 30 is assembled as indicated in
Because the apertures 29 of the hook part 3 have a smaller diameter than the apertures 23 of the main part 2, each ball 43 is urged into engagement with a respective peripheral seat 29a defined by the apertures 29, and hence serve to lock the hook part 3 to the main part 2 in a substantially rigid manner as illustrated in
The main part 2 of the fitting can be secured to a body harness such as, for example, a trapeze harness or wind-surfing harness such that the base plate 11 is located centrally, above the groin region of the harness. The two arms 5 extend outwardly around the waist region of the harness and the slots 9 each allow a respective webbing strap or the like to pass therethrough to provide secure connection of the main part 2 to the harness. When mounted to the harness in this way, the fitting 1 presents the hook 24 in a convenient position to be clipped onto a tether line such as, for example, a trapeze wire.
As described above, the four balls 43 are each driven outwardly into engagement with respective seats 29a defined by the apertures 29 on the hook part 3 and hence provide a secure connection between hook part 3 and the main part 2. In this configuration, the fitting 1 can be used to support the weight of a person wearing the harness, when hanging from a tether line clipped onto the hook 24. However, should the person find themselves in difficulty or danger, requiring urgent detachment from the tether, the person can simply depress the actuating button 44 as described above, which allows the four balls to move inwardly, hence moving out of engagement with the peripheral seats 29a defined by the aperture 29 as the hook part 3 is pulled away from the main part 2 under the force applied by the tether. The main part 2 of the fitting 1 and the hook part 3 hence become disconnected from one another allowing the person wearing the harness to become released from the tether line in an emergency.
Because the balls 43 each present a rounded part for engagement with the peripheral seats 29a, the seats 29a are prevented from snagging on the balls as the hook part is pulled away from the main part 2. The seats 29a ride smoothly over the rounded surface of the balls 43, therefore ensuring that the balls 43 are properly urged inwardly. However, it should be appreciated that the locking members do not have to take the form of balls but instead could take the form of other convenient shapes such as, for example an elongate spigot having a rounded end surface, or a conical or frustoconical member presenting a tapered locking surface for engagement with the peripheral seats 29a.
Whilst the present invention has been described above with reference to a specific embodiment, it should be appreciated that various modifications or alterations could be made to the above-described arrangement, without parting from the scope of the present invention. For example, whilst the above-described arrangement has two pairs of opposed apertures formed on the hook-part 3, it is envisaged that the arrangement could be modified to have only one pair of opposed apertures on the hook-part 3, or even more than two pairs of opposed apertures. Of course, in each of these variants, the two apertures of each pair must each be associated with a respective ball provided in the locking mechanism.
Also, whilst the embodiment described above is provided with locking apertures on the hook-part 3 to define the peripheral seats 29a, the apertures could be replaced with recesses defining the peripheral seats 29a, in which case the balls 43 would each be received in a respective said recess when engaging said peripheral seat, so as not to be visible when the hook-part 3 is connected to the main part 2 of the fitting 1.
Turning now to
The first part 52 of the fitting again comprises an elongate frame 54 which defines a pair of outwardly-directed arms 55, each of which has a generally rectangular configuration and comprises a pair of outwardly-directed bar portions 56 which are interconnected by a respective terminal bar portion 57. Spaced slightly inwardly from each terminal bar portion 57, there is provided a securing bar 58 which extends between the two bar portions 56 of each arm 55. Each securing bar 58 is welded at each end to a respective bar portion 56. An elongate slot 59 is thus defined between the terminal bar portion 57 and the securing bar 58 of each arm 55. A generally rectangular base plate 60 is mounted centrally on the frame 54, and is secured thereto by four welds 61 in the corner regions of the base plate 60.
Turning briefly to consider
The rectangular channel 63 encloses a locking mechanism which will be described in more detail hereinafter. However, turning briefly to consider
Having regard to
Also illustrated in
As indicated above, the channel 63 provided on the base plate 60 has a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism will be now be described, in more detail, with reference to
As illustrated in
The cartridge 80 comprises a pair of plastic mouldings 81,82 as illustrated in
Each cartridge moulding 81,82 is provided with an elongate slot 84 therethrough, and a pair of circular apertures 85 therethrough. Each cartridge moulding 81,82 is also provided with three recesses 86, 87 and 88 at positions adjacent the elongate slots 84. On each cartridge moulding 81, 82 the recesses 86, 88 are provided at respective ends of the slot 84, and on the same side of the slot 84 as one another. In contrast, on each cartridge component 81, 82, the recess 87 is provided in the central region of the slot 84 and on the opposite side of the slot 84 to the recesses 86, 88. The recesses 86, 87, 88 of each cartridge moulding 81, 82 are configured so that when cartridge component 82 is overturned from its position illustrated in
Extending away from each apertures 85, there are provided respective elongate recessed channels 89.
As will become clear hereinafter, the cartridge mouldings 81, 82 serve to house the operative parts of the locking mechanism 79, one of which is a locking element 90. The locking element 90 comprises a generally rectangular metal plate 91 which is provided with an extension 92 at one end which carries an actuating button 93.
A pair of elongate slots 94 are provided through the rectangular plate 91 in the regions of respective longitudinal side edges of the plate 91. A more elaborate shaped slot 95 is provided through the central region of the rectangular plate 91.
The central slot 95 defines three recesses 96, each of which has a generally “pear” shape so as to define respective first and second recess portions 97, 98. Each first recess portion 97 defines a straight edge 99, and each second recess portion 98 defines a ramp surface 100.
Turning now to consider
It will be seen from
Received within each recess 86, 87, 88 is a respective locking member which, in the arrangement illustrated, takes the form of a ball 103. Each ball 103 is sized such that when the locking element 90 is positioned in its locking position shown in
As indicated above, when the components illustrated in
The locking mechanism 79, when assembled as illustrated in
Returning briefly to consider
However, when the actuating button provided on the locking element 90 is depressed, as illustrated most clearly in
As will be appreciated, subsequent release of the actuating button 93 allows the locking element 90 to move back to its locking position illustrated in
It is to be appreciated that certain modifications could be made to the above-described embodiment, without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, it is envisaged that only two locking locking balls 103 could be provided in the two recesses 96 which are located on the same side of the slot through the plate 91. In such an arrangement, the central recess 96 located on the opposite side of the slot can be eliminated. The arrangement would thus operate such that the two balls 103 move in the same direction, parallel to one another, as the actuating button 93 is pressed.
In the present specification “comprises” means “includes or consists of” and “comprising” means “including or consisting of”.
The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
0304041.7 | Feb 2003 | GB | national |
0308440.7 | Apr 2003 | GB | national |
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2930598 | Feb 1981 | DE |
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20050115519 A1 | Jun 2005 | US |