This application claims priority pursuant to 35 U.S.C. 119(a) to Chinese Application No. 202111136556.X, filed Sep. 27, 2021, which application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Various embodiments described herein relate generally to safety equipment or personal protective equipment (PPE), including full body harnesses, which may be used by first responders, other users who work on platforms situated at a height, and/or the like.
Safety harnesses are commonly used as part of a fall protection system for users subjected to the potential of a fall from a height. In some environments, full-body safety harnesses are used, in some examples, when working on platform including an elevated surface positioned at a height of six feet or greater. Wearable safety harnesses including a plurality of straps that collectively define both an upper torso portion (having, for example, shoulder straps) and a lower torso or seat portion (having, for example, one or more leg straps and/or a seat strap) may be secured to one or more safety system components in order to at least partially mitigate the bodily harm realized by a user as a result of a fall occurrence. Various PPE may be secured relative to a harness in order to operably couple a user of the harness relative to one or more anchor points. Installation of the PPE relative to the harness may be both difficult and time-consuming. For example, PPE may be secured relative to a harness using a single-use coupling component or various fastening means defined by rigid designs that can become increasingly difficult to operate over time or in various undesirable working conditions. In addition, upon a PPE component being secured relative to the harness and as the user moves about the elevated surface, the configuration of the plurality of straps defining the harness and any PPE operatively secured relative to the harness may intersect, tangle, rub, or otherwise hinder movement of a user. In the event of a fall, safety harnesses and various fastening means and PPE attached thereto can cause bodily harm to a user in the course of suspending the user or transmitting violent forces resulting from the harness or PPE being caught or snagged within the user's environment during the fall. Such harm can include severe physical trauma, such as loss of circulation of blood to a portion of the user's body (e.g., due to a constriction of the straps of the harness against the user's body), resulting in unconsciousness, serious injury, and possibly death.
Accordingly, a need exists for improved wearable harnesses, including improved connector elements characterized by increased ease of use, increased capacity to mitigate physical trauma realized by a user during a fall condition, increased mobility and user accessibility, minimized product costs, minimized product failure caused by wear and/or damage, and a maximization of product operability over the life of the product. Through applied effort, ingenuity, and innovation, Applicant has solved many of these identified problems by developing solutions embodied in the present disclosure, which are described in detail below.
Various embodiments are directed to safety device connector apparatuses for use with a wearable safety harness and methods of using the same. In various embodiments, a safety device connector apparatus may comprise a base portion operable to attach to one or more straps of the wearable safety harness, the base portion comprising a base attachment pin fixedly secured thereto; a connector element configured to be detachably coupled to the base portion via a connector element detachable base interface configured to engage the base attachment pin, wherein the connector element detachable base interface comprises a connector interface opening, and wherein engaging the base attachment pin comprises receiving at least a portion of the base attachment pin within the connector interface opening; wherein the connector interface opening comprises an angled notch configuration configured to facilitate a movement of at least a portion of the base attachment pin relative to the connector interface opening; and wherein at least a portion of the connector element is configured to detach from the base portion based at least in part on a load force acting on at least a portion of the connector element.
In various embodiments, the angled notch configuration of the connector interface opening may comprise a “V”-shaped notch. In various embodiments, the connector element may be configured to fully detach from the base portion based at least in part on the load force acting on the at least a portion of the connector element. In various embodiments, the connector element may comprise a first connector element portion fixedly secured to the base portion and a second connector element portion configured to detach from the base portion based at least in part on the load force acting on the at least a portion of the connector element. In certain embodiments, the second connector element portion may comprise the connector element detachable base interface. Further, in certain embodiments, the connector element comprises a connector arm that extends along an arm length between a first arm end and a second arm end, the first arm end comprising the first connector element portion and the second arm end comprising the second connector element portion; wherein the first arm end is fixedly secured to the base portion along an at least partially linear axis; and wherein the connector element defines a hinged connection relative to the base portion wherein the second arm end is configured to rotate about the at least partially linear axis relative to the base portion.
In various embodiments, the connector element detachable base interface may be coupled to the base attachment pin via a hinged connection such that the connector element is configured to rotate about a central axis of the base attachment pin relative to the base portion. In various embodiments, the at least a portion of the connector element detaching from the base portion may comprise the connector element detachable base interface disengaging the base attachment pin; wherein a reconfiguration of the connector element from an engaged position to a disengaged position is defined at least in part by the connector element detachable base interface disengaging the base attachment pin. In certain embodiments, the disengaged position of the connector element may correspond to a configuration that enables a safety device coupled to the apparatus so as to be secured relative to the base portion to be released relative to the base portion. In various embodiments, the connector element may be predisposed to being arranged in an engaged position wherein the connector element detachable base interface is engaged with the base attachment pin. In certain embodiments, the connector element may be predisposed to being arranged in the engaged position based at least in part on the connector element having an at least partially elastic configuration.
In various embodiments, at least a portion of the load force acting on the at least a portion of the connector element may be transmitted to the at least a portion of the connector element by a safety device coupled to the apparatus. In certain embodiments, the safety device may be coupled to the apparatus at a safety device attachment interface, wherein the safety device attachment interface is defined by a channel extending laterally along a width portion of the base portion between the base portion and the connector element, the channel being configured to receive at least a portion of the safety device therein. In various embodiments, the angled notch configuration of the connector interface opening may be defined at least in part by a notch angle that is larger than a connector interface opening angle defined at least in part by a radial height of the connector interface opening. In various embodiments, the base attachment pin may comprise a cylindrical protrusion portion that extends laterally along a first width portion of the base portion; where in the cylindrical protrusion portion is positioned at a perpendicular distance away from a base surface of the base portion.
In various embodiments, the connector element detachable base interface may comprise cylindrical sidewall extending along a central axis so as to at least partially surround a connector interface channel defined within the cylindrical sidewall; wherein the connector interface opening extends through a thickness of the cylindrical sidewall such that the connector element detachable base interface is configured to receive at least a portion of the base attachment pin within the connector interface channel via the connector interface opening. In certain embodiments, the connector interface channel may extend in a lateral direction that is at least substantially parallel to a width direction of the base attachment pin. In certain embodiments, the connector element detachable base interface may be configured to secure at least a portion of the base attachment pin within the connector interface channel base at least in part on a physical engagement between an interior surface of the cylindrical sidewall and the at least a portion of the base attachment pin. In various embodiments, the connector element detachable base interface may be configured to secure at least a portion of the base attachment pin within the connector interface channel base at least in part on a physical engagement between an interior surface of the cylindrical sidewall and the at least a portion of the base attachment pin. Further, in certain embodiments, the connector interface opening may be defined at least in part by a linear opening distance corresponding to a linear height of the connector interface opening; wherein the linear opening distance of the connector interface opening is at least substantially less than a corresponding linear height of the base attachment pin.
Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:
The present disclosure more fully describes various embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that some, but not all embodiments are shown and described herein. Indeed, the embodiments may take many different forms, and accordingly this disclosure should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.
It should be understood at the outset that although illustrative implementations of one or more aspects are illustrated below, the disclosed assemblies, systems, and methods may be implemented using any number of techniques, whether currently known or not yet in existence. The disclosure should in no way be limited to the illustrative implementations, drawings, and techniques illustrated below, but may be modified within the scope of the appended claims along with their full scope of equivalents. While values for dimensions of various elements are disclosed, the drawings may not be to scale.
The words “example,” or “exemplary,” when used herein, are intended to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as an “example” or “exemplary embodiment” is not necessarily preferred or advantageous over other implementations.
The term “strap” refers to an elongated flap or a flat strip comprising a material having flexibility characteristics. Example material may include, but not limited to, nylon, polyester, synthetic fiber, and/or the like. In some examples, an example strap may connect, fasten, and/or secure various parts of an example harness, and/or may support body portion(s) of a wearer of the example harness. In some examples, an example strap of an example harness may be referred to in connection with an example placement of the strap when the example harness is worn by a user. For example, an example leg strap of an example harness may be placed on a leg portion of a wearer of the example harness.
In various embodiments, the disclosed relief apparatus is configured for use with a full-body harness and a user of the full-body harness. Full-body harness, safety harnesses, harnesses, suspension devices, suspension systems, and/or similar terms used herein interchangeably are configured to protect a user from falls from dangerous heights. Typically, a harness is connected via a line to a secure point at or above a height at which the user is positioned, and in the event of a fall, tension of the line suspends the harness and the user in mid-air. Various harnesses are composed of various straps arranged and positioned in various configurations to secure and wrap around a user's body. Specifically, various harnesses may include an upper body portion and a lower body portion, where an upper body portion may include straps wrapped around a user's chest, shoulders, arms, and/or back while a lower body portion may include straps wrapped around a user's waist, hips, groin, pelvic region, legs, and/or the like.
Various embodiments described herein are directed to a safety device connector apparatus configured to be at least partially relative to secured to a wearable harness via one or more straps of the wearable harness. As described herein, the safety device connector apparatus may comprise a base portion configured to be secured relative to a strap (e.g., webbing) of a harness so as to retain at least a portion of the safety device connector apparatus secured in a position along the length of the strap. In various embodiments, the safety device connector apparatus may be defined at least in part by a specifically configured connector element, including a safety device attachment interface that is configured to be engaged by a safety device such as, for example, a fall protection lanyard, a D-ring, an anchor, a self-retracting lifeline (SRL), a personal fall limitor (PFL), a carabiner, and/or the like, so as to operatively couple the safety device to the harness via the safety device connector apparatus secured thereto. As described herein, at least a portion of the connector element may be detachable from the base portion such that, in the event of wearable harness experiencing a fall condition in which a lanyard leg and/or safety device engaged with the apparatus gets caught, tangled, tied, snagged and/or otherwise forcefully pulled, a resultant load force may cause the connector element to at least partially disengage the base portion so as to prevent the tightening forces from transferring to the harness and causing further physical trauma. Further, the present invention may include a connector element comprising an angled notched configuration that facilitates ease of use during operation of the apparatus by at least substantially reducing various resistance forces that may be generated by physical component interference during operation of the apparatus, such as, for example, during anchoring, re-assembly, selective engagement, and/or safety device coupling operations. For example, in various embodiments, the angled notch configuration of the connector interface opening provided within the connector element may comprise a “V”-shaped notch configured to enable repeatable operation of a safety device connector apparatus defined by an at least substantially reduced physical exertion required for operation.
In various embodiments, a safety device connector element 10 may comprise a base portion 100 and a connector element 200. In various embodiments, base portion 100 may be configured to engage one or more straps 21 (e.g., webbing(s)) of a harness 20 in order to secure at least a portion of the safety device connector apparatus 10 to the one or more straps 21. For example, the base portion 100 of the safety device connector apparatus 10 may embody a baseplate having a length that extends between a first base end 110 and a second base end 120, such as, for example. along a length of a strap 21 to which the base portion is secured. In various embodiments, the base portion 100 may be operable to attach to at least a portion of a wearable safety harness, such as, for example, via a secured arrangement of at least one of the plurality of straps 21 through one or more of the base openings 101 extending through a thickness of the base portion 100. For example, as illustrated, an example base portion 100 may comprise a plurality of base openings, including a first base opening 111 arranged at least substantially adjacent a first base end 110 and a second base opening 112 arranged at an opposing end of the length of the base portion 100 at least substantially adjacent the second base end 120, each of which may be configured to receive at least a portion of a strap 21 therethrough.
In various embodiments, the base element 100 of an exemplary safety device connector apparatus 10 may comprise a base attachment pin 130 disposed about a surface 101 of the base portion 100 so as extend in an outward direction away from the surface 101. In various embodiments, the base attachment pin 130 may comprise a protrusion configured to protrude in an outward direction away from the surface 101 such that the base attachment pin 130 may be physically engaged by a connector element detachable base interface 230, as described herein, to facilitate a configuration of the connector element 200 in an engaged position. In various embodiments, the base attachment pin 130 may comprise an at least substantially linear protrusion that is rigidly secured to the base portion 100 (e.g., at surface 101) and extends laterally along at least a portion of the width of the base portion 100 at least partially between opposing lateral sides of the base portion 100 (e.g., in a lateral direction). In various embodiments, as described herein, the base attachment element 130 may comprise a planar protrusion portion extending from the base portion 100 away from the surface 101 and a cylindrical pin portion rigidly secured to the outermost edge of the planar protrusion portion and extending in a lateral direction parallel to the planar protrusion portion, such that the cylindrical pin portion is positioned along the width of the base portion 100 at a distance away from the surface 101. In such an exemplary circumstance, the base attachment pin 130 is configured such that the physical engagement of the connector element detachable base interface 230 and the base attachment pin 130 is initiated by the connector element detachable base interface 230 physically abutting the cylindrical pin portion of the base attachment pin 130. As described in further detail herein, the cross-sectional configuration of the base attachment pin 130 may correspond at least in part to the cross-sectional configuration of the connector element detachable base interface 230 of the connector element 200 in order to facilitate the detachable configuration of the connector element 200 relative to the base portion 100.
In various embodiments, the safety device connector apparatus 10 may further comprise a connector element 200 configured to receive and/or engage at least a portion of a safety device in order to facilitate attachment of the safety device to the safety device connector apparatus 10, as described in further detail herein. For example, the connector element 200 of the safety device connector apparatus 10 may be configured to enable an operable coupling of the safety device engaged therewith relative to the wearable safety harness 20 (e.g., via the safety device connector apparatus 10 secured to at least one strap 21). As described herein, in various embodiments, the connector element 200 may be configured to have an at least partially detachable configuration relative to the base portion 100 of the safety device connector apparatus 10. For example, the safety device connector apparatus 10 may comprise a connector element 200 that is configurable between an engaged position and a disengaged position based at least in part on the detachable configuration of at least a portion of a connector element 200 relative to the base portion 100, as described herein.
As illustrated in
In various embodiments, a connector element 200 may comprise a connector element detachable base interface 230 configured to be detachably couplable to at least a portion of the base portion 100 (e.g., the base attachment pin 130) so as to enable the detachable configuration between the connector element 200 and the base portion 100 of the safety device connector apparatus 10. For example, in various embodiments, the connector element detachable base interface 230 may comprise a part of the connector element 200 that is defined at least in part by a fastening means that corresponds to the base attachment pin 130 of the base portion 100 such that the connector element 200 may be arranged in an engaged position based on the physical engagement between corresponding features of the connector element detachable base interface 230 and the base attachment pin 130. In various embodiments wherein connector element 200 comprises an arm element that has a first arm end 210 that is fixedly secured to the first base end 110 of the base portion 100, as illustrated in
As illustrated, in various embodiments the connector element detachable base interface 230 may be a fastening means (e.g., a female fastening means) comprising an at least partially tubular component defined by an at least partially cylindrical exterior sidewall. In various embodiments, an at least partially cylindrical sidewall of the connector element detachable base interface 230 may be configured to define a connector interface channel embodying a hollow cylindrical channel that that extends along the central axis of the cylindrical sidewall. The connector element detachable base interface 230 may comprise a connector interface opening extending through the cylindrical sidewall that is configured to enable at least a portion of the base attachment pin 130 to be received within the connector interface channel via the connector interface opening. For example, a connector interface opening of the connector element detachable base interface 230 may be configured to receive at least a portion of a base attachment pin 130 therethrough so as to facilitate the connector element 200 being configured in an engaged position securing at least a portion of the base attachment pin 130 within the connector interface channel of the connector element detachable base interface 230.
An exemplary safety device connector apparatus 10 may comprise a base portion 100 with a base attachment pin 130 that embodies a male fastening component and a connector element 200 with a connector element detachable base interface 230 that embodies a corresponding female fastening component configured to receive the base attachment pin 130 to secure the connector element 200 in an engaged position relative to the base portion 100. The connector element detachable base interface 230 may be configured to at least partially restrict the range of motion of the base attachment pin 130 engaged therewith so as to secure the connector element 200 (e.g., a second arm end 220) to the base portion 100 via an at least temporary coupling of the connector element detachable base interface 230 to the base attachment pin 130. As described in further detail herein, the connector element detachable base interface 230 may be configured to disengage from a base attachment pin 130 engaged therewith based at least in part on a resultant force generated in response to a fall event that acts on the safety device 30 attached to the safety device connector apparatus 10 such that a threshold pulling force is transmitted to the connector element 200 (e.g., via the safety device 30 engaged therewith) and acts (e.g., pulls) on the connector element detachable base interface 230 of the connector element 200 in a direction at least substantially away from the base attachment pin 130 to initiate a reconfiguration of the connector element from an engaged position to a disengaged position.
As illustrated, the connector element 200 may comprise an at least partially curved profile defined at least in part by a radius of curvature that may vary at one or more locations along the length of the connector element 200 between the first arm end 210 and the second arm end 220. For example, the connector element 200 may comprise a radius of curvature 215 that is curved about a lateral axis such that in an exemplary configuration wherein the first arm end 210 and the second arm end 220 are secured at least substantially adjacent the base portion 100, each protruding in a respective at least partially outward direction (e.g., away from the portion of the strap 21 to which the base portion 100 is secured), the connector element 200 may maintain an at least substantially continuous length of material. In such an exemplary circumstance, the curved profile of the connector element 200 may be configured such that the connector element 200 and the base portion 100 of the safety device connector apparatus 10 may collectively define a channel provided therebetween that extends along the width of the safety device connector apparatus 10 (e.g., along the widths of the connector element 200 and the base portion 100) between opposing lateral sides of the safety device connector apparatus 10 (e.g., in a lateral direction). For example, the safety device connector apparatus 10 may be configured to receive at least a portion of a safety device within the channel defined between the connector element 200 and the base portion 100, as described in further detail herein.
In various embodiments, the safety device connector apparatus 10 may be configured to receive at least a portion of a safety device that is selectively attached to the safety device connector apparatus 10 via a safety device attachment interface 300 defined at least in part by the connector element 200. In various embodiments, a safety device attachment interface 300 may be embodied by an opening within which a fastening portion of a safety device, such as, for example, a hook, a ring element, and/or the like, may be received by the safety device connector apparatus 10 in order to retain the safety device an in installed configuration relative to a wearable harness 20. For example, as illustrated in
In various embodiments, the connector element 200 of the safety device connector apparatus 10 may comprise an at least partially detachable configuration relative to the base portion 100 such that the connector element 200 is configurable between an engaged position and a disengaged position. In various embodiments, an engaged position of an exemplary connector element 200 may be defined at least in part by a configuration wherein the connector element detachable base interface 230 is secured relative to the base attachment pin 130. As non-limiting examples described herein with reference to
Further, in various embodiments, a disengaged position of an exemplary connector element 200 may be defined at least in part by a configuration wherein the connector element detachable base interface 230 is not engaged with the base attachment pin 130. For example, in various embodiments, a connector element 200 provided in a disengaged position may be either fully detached from the base portion 100 such that no portion of the connector element 200 is engaged with the base portion 100, or partially detached from the base portion 100 such that a first portion of the connector element 200 (e.g., a first arm end 210) remains fixedly secured relative to the base portion 100 while a second portion of the connector element 200 comprising the connector element detachable base interface 230 is disengaged from the base attachment pin 130.
As illustrated in
In various embodiments, an exemplary safety device connector apparatus 10 may be configured such that the connector element 200 thereof may be reconfigured from an engaged position to a disengaged position based at least in part on a load force acting on at least a portion of the connector element 200. In various embodiments, a load force that acts on the connector element 200 so as to cause at least a portion of the connector element 200 (e.g., a connector element detachable base interface 230) to detach from the base portion 100 (e.g., a base attachment pin 130) such that the connector element 200 is reconfigured from the engaged position to the disengaged position may be defined at least in part by a force generated as a result of the fall occurrence. In an exemplary circumstance wherein a safety device 30 is attached to a safety device connector apparatus 10 at a safety device attachment interface 300 defined at least in part by a connector element 200 configured in an engaged position such that the safety device 30 is operatively coupled to a wearable harness (e.g., via a strap 21), a fall condition experienced by the wearable harness may result in at least a portion of the safety device 30 exhibiting an at least partially restricted condition, such as, for example, wherein the safety device 30 getting caught, tangled, tied, snagged and/or otherwise forcefully pulled, such that a first pulling force is generated.
For example,
In various embodiments, a connector element 200 may be configured to at least partially detach from the base portion 100 so as to be reconfigured to a disengaged position in response to a threshold load force acting on the connector element 200 (e.g., on a connector element detachable base interface 230) in an at least partially outward direction away from the base element 100 (e.g., the base attachment pin 130). For example, a connector element detachable base interface 230 may be configured to be caused to disengage from a base attachment pin 130 of the base portion 100 by a threshold load force generated upon at least a portion of a pulling force (e.g., pulling force 500) acting on a safety device 30 being transmitted to the connector element detachable base interface 230 and acting on a connector element detachable base interface 230 in an at least partially outward direction away from the base attachment pin 130. In various embodiments, the magnitude of a threshold load force sufficient to cause the connector element detachable base interface 230 to detach from the base attachment pin 130 may vary based at least in part on the configuration (e.g., geometric features, relative dimensions, angular configurations) of the connector element detachable base interface 230 and/or the base attachment pin 130. In various embodiments, the connector element detachable base interface 230 may be configured such that a threshold load force of at least substantially between 0 lbf and 120 lbf (e.g., between 50 lbf and 90 lbf) acting on the connector element detachable base interface 230 may cause the connector element detachable base interface 230 to disengage the base attachment pin 130. For example, in various embodiments, the safety device connector apparatus 10 may be configured such that a pulling force of at least substantially between 0 lbf and 120 lbf (e.g., between 50 lbf and 90 lbf) acting on a safety device 30 attached to the safety device connector apparatus 10 may result in a threshold load force acting on the connector element 200 of the safety device connector apparatus 10 so as to reconfigure the connector element 200 from an engaged position to a disengaged position. For example, in the illustrated embodiment wherein the connector element 200 comprises a partially detachable arm element, as described herein, upon a threshold load force being realized at a connector element 200 (e.g., a connector element detachable base interface 230) in an engaged position, the connector element detachable base interface 230 may disengage from the base portion 100 (e.g., the base attachment pin 130 engaged therewith) so as to cause the connector element 200 to be reconfigured from an engaged position to a disengaged position, thereby providing a gap between the connector element detachable base interface 230 and the bast attachment pin 130 that enables the safety device 30 previously attached to the safety device connector apparatus 10 (e.g., at the safety device attachment interface 300) when the connector element 200 was in an engaged position to be released from within the safety device attachment interface 300 through the gap between base attachment pin 130 and connector element detachable base interface 230.
In various embodiments, a connector element 200 may be predisposed to an engaged position based at least in part on one or more material properties thereof, such as, for example, an elastic limit of the connector element 200. For example, in various embodiments, at least a portion of a safety device connector apparatus 10, such as, for example, a connector element 200, may be defined at least in part by an elastic limit that enables a connection element 200 biased towards an engaged position to, upon being reconfigured from the engaged position to a disengaged position, exhibit an at least partially elastic deformation that causes the connection element 200 to be reconfigured from the disengaged position back to the engaged position. Further, in various embodiments, a connector element 200 may be defined at least in part by an elastic limit configured such that the connector element 200 exhibits at least partial plastic deformation upon executing one or more reconfiguration operations, as described herein. For example, in various embodiments, a collection element 200 may be predisposed to an engaged position based at least in part on a plastic deformation of at least a portion of the connection element 200. For example, in various embodiments, such an exemplary connector element 200 that utilizes a plastic deformation to enable a predisposition to an engaged position may be configured to facilitate retention of a base attachment pin 130 within a connector element detachable base interface 230
As shown in
In various embodiments, the connector element detachable base interface 230 may comprise a connector interface opening 233 extending through a thickness of the cylindrical sidewall 231. In various embodiments, the connector interface opening 233 may be configured to enable at least a portion of the base attachment pin 130 to extend therethrough so as to facilitate a fastening of the connector element detachable base interface 230 to the base attachment pin 130 in which the cylindrical pin portion 132 of the base attachment element 130 is secured within the connector interface channel 232. For example, the connector interface opening 233 may comprise an elongated opening (e.g., a slot) having a width that extends in a lateral direction along the width of the cylindrical sidewall 231 such that at least a portion (e.g., at least substantially all) of the width of a base attachment pin 130 may extend through the connector interface opening 233 and into the connector interface channel 232 of the connector element detachable base interface 230. Further, the connector interface opening 233 may comprise a height that extends along the at least a portion of the cylindrical sidewall 231 and may be defined in a radial direction about the central axis of the cylindrical sidewall 231 such that the height of the connector interface opening 233 may extend between a first connector interface opening end 234a and a second connector interface opening end 235a. For example, in various embodiments, the height of the connector interface orifice 233 extending along the cylindrical sidewall 231 between the first connector interface opening end 234a and the second connector interface opening end 235a may define an opening angle 236 of at least substantially between 50 degrees and 160 degrees (e.g., between 90 degrees and 130 degrees).
Further, in various embodiments, the connector interface opening 233 further comprises a notched configuration defined at least in part by one or more material recesses within the cylindrical sidewall 231 that may be provided at and/or at least substantially adjacent the connector interface opening 233 so as to at least partially adjust a configuration (e.g., angular configuration) of one or more surfaces of the connector interface opening 233 relative to the base attachment pin 130. For example, in various embodiments the notched configuration of the connector interface opening 233 may be defined at least in part by respective material recess at each of the first connector interface opening end surface 234 and the second connector interface opening end surface 235 so as to expand a notch angle 237. As illustrated, the notch angle 237 may comprise the angle (e.g., radial distance) between the first connector interface opening end surface 234 and the second connector interface opening end surface 235. In various embodiments, the connector element detachable base interface 230 may comprise a “V”-shaped notch configuration that may be defined at least in part by a notch angle 237 that is at least substantially greater than the opening angle 236. For example, in various embodiments, the notch angle 237 of the connector element detachable base interface 230 (e.g., the connector interface opening 233) defined between the first connector interface opening end surface 234 and the second connector interface opening end surface 235 may be at least substantially between 50 degrees and 160 degrees (e.g., between 90 degrees and 130 degrees). For example, the “V”-shaped notch (e.g., notch angle 237) of the connector interface opening 233 may be configured to minimize physical interference between the cylindrical sidewall 231 of the connector element detachable base interface 230 and the cylindrical pin portion 132 of the base attachment pin 130 in order to facilitate ease of engagement and detachment between the connector element detachable base interface 230 and the base attachment pin 130.
As illustrated in
In various embodiments, the connector interface opening 233 may be defined at least in part by a linear opening distance corresponding to a linear height of the connector interface opening 233. For example, as illustrated, the linear height of the connector interface opening 233 may be defined by the linear distance between first connector interface opening end 234a and second connector interface opening end 235a. In various embodiments, the linear opening distance of the connector interface opening 233 may be at least substantially smaller than a diameter of the cylindrical pin portion 132 of the base attachment pin 130. In such an exemplary circumstance wherein the connector element 200 is in a disengaged position, one or more forces may be applied to the base portion 100 and/or the connector element detachable base interface 230 in order to cause the base attachment pin 130 (e.g., cylindrical pin portion 132) to be pushed through the connector interface opening 233 and into the connector interface channel 232. The cylindrical pin portion 132 may be pushed against one or more surfaces of the cylindrical sidewall 231 that are positioned at least substantially adjacent the connector interface opening 233, such as, for example, an exterior sidewall surface 231a, a first connector interface opening end surface 234, and a second connector interface opening end surface 235. In various embodiments, at least a portion of the cylindrical sidewall 231 may comprise an at least partially elastic configuration wherein the at least a portion of the cylindrical sidewall 231 may exhibit an elastic deformation in response to a force being applied thereto by the base attachment pin 130 so as to enable the cylindrical pin portion 132 to pass through the connector interface opening 233 (e.g., between an engaged position and a disengaged position). Further, as described herein, the connector interface opening 233 may comprise an angled notch configuration configured to facilitate a movement of at least a portion of the base attachment pin 130 relative to the connector interface opening 233. For example, the angled notch configuration may be configured to at least substantially reduce the magnitude of the resistance forces acting on the cylindrical pin portion 132 from the cylindrical sidewall 231 in response to the cylindrical pin portion 132 being engaged with the cylindrical sidewall 231 and the connector interface opening 233 and pushed towards the connector interface channel 232. The angled notch configuration may be defined at least in part by a notch angle comprising the angle (e.g., radial distance) between the first connector interface opening end surface 234 and the second connector interface opening end surface 235. For example, in various embodiments, the angled notch configuration may comprise a “V”-shaped notch configured such that the such that the surfaces of the cylindrical sidewall 231 and/or the connector interface opening 233 that are engaged by the cylindrical pin portion 132 as it is pushed towards the connector interface channel 232, such as, for example, the first connector interface opening end surface 234 and the second connector interface opening end surface 235, may comprise an angular configuration relative to the direction of motion of the cylindrical pin portion 132 as the base attachment pin 130 is reconfigured toward the engaged position within the connector interface channel 132.
As illustrated, an exemplary safety device connector apparatus may comprise a connector element 200 comprising a fully detachable configuration relative to the base portion 100, such that the connector element 200 may be configurable between an engaged position in which a connector element detachable base interface 230 of the connector element 200 is engaged with the base attachment pin 130 of the base portion, and a disengaged position in which the connector element 200 is fully detached from the base portion 100 such that no portion of the connector element 200 is engaged with the base portion 100. For example, the safety device connector apparatus 10 may comprise a connector element 200 that is configurable between an engaged position and a disengaged position based at least in part on the detachable configuration of at least a portion of a connector element 200 relative to the base portion 100. An exemplary connector element 200 may define a safety device attachment interface 300 at which the connector element 200 may be engaged by a safety device, as described herein, and a connector element detachable base interface 230 configured to engage the base portion 100 (e.g., the base attachment pin 130) so as to detachably couple the connector element 200 relative to the base portion 100. As illustrated, the safety device attachment interface 300 may comprise a ring element configured to be engaged by a corresponding fastening means of a safety device 30, such as, for example, a hook, in order to operatively couple the safety device to a wearable harness (e.g., via the safety device connector apparatus 10 secured to strap 21). Further, as shown, the connector element 200 and the base portion 100 may comprise distinct components configured to be selectively detachably couplable relative to one another at a single interface defined by the engagement of the connector element detachable base interface 230 with the base attachment pin 130. For example, the exemplary connector element detachable base interface 230 illustrated in
As described herein, a safety device connector apparatus 10 may comprise a connector element 200 that is configurable between an engaged position and a disengaged position based at least in part on the detachable configuration of at least a portion of a connector element 200 relative to the base portion 100.
Many modifications and other embodiments will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which this disclosure pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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202111136556.X | Sep 2021 | CN | national |