GB2529798A

GB2529798A - Shoulder harness

Info

Publication number: GB2529798A
Application number: GB1405751.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Brian Ovey; Pauline Cromer
Original assignee: CQC Ltd
Current assignee: CQC Ltd
Priority date: 2014-03-31
Filing date: 2014-03-31
Publication date: 2016-03-09
Anticipated expiration: 2034-03-31
Also published as: GB201405751D0; GB2529798B

Abstract

A shoulder harness suitable for use with a rucksack includes a substantially v-shaped harness member 2 having an apex part 4 that is adapted to be releasably securable to an upper part of the rucksack. First and second arms 6a, 6b extend from the apex part 4 to terminate at first and second end parts 8a, 8b. First and second ring members 18a, 18b may be fixedly secured to the harness member 2. One or more straps may be secured to each ring member 18a, 18b. One of the straps may comprise a first connecting strap 46a that is adapted to be releasably securable to a lower side part of the rucksack. A similar second connecting strap 46b may be arranged at the other side. The means for securing the apex part 4 to the upper part of the rucksack may comprise an array of loops or tabs (126, fig. 3A) through which a pair of flaps (10a, 10b, fig.3) may be inserted and fastened together by hook and loop material.

Description

TITLE

Shoulder harness

DESCRIPTION

Technical field

The present invention relates to a shoulder harness, and in particular to a releasable shoulder harness for use with a rucksack. The term rucksack" is intended to include inter a/ia daysacks, backpacks, bergens, knapsacks etc.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention provides a shoulder harness for use with a rucksack, the shoulder harness comprising: a substantially v-shaped harness member having an apex part that is adapted to be releasably securable to an upper part of the rucksack and first and second arms extending from the apex part to terminate at first and second end parts: a first ring member located at the first arm; a second ring member located at the second arm; one or more straps secured to the first ring member and including a first connecting strap that is adapted to be releasably securable to a first lower side part of the rucksack; and one or more straps secured to the second ring member and including a second connecting strap that is adapted to be releasably securable to a second lower side part of the rncksack.

The one or more straps secured to the first ring member can further include a first adjustable strap having a first part that is fixedly secured in the harness member at the apex part, a second part that defines a loop for receiving the first ring member and is fixedly secured to the harness member at, or adjacent to, the first end part, and a third part that is not secured to the harness member.

The one or more straps secured to the second ring member can further include a second adjustable strap having a first part that is fixedly secured to the harness member at the apex part, a second part that defines a loop for receiving the second ring member and is fixedly secured to the harness member at, or adjacent to, the second end part, and a third part that is not secured to the harness member.

The first and second adjustable straps can include length adjusting means, e.g., a sliplock (or triglide) buckle made of any suitable material. The length adjusting means can be located between the first and second parts of each adjustable strap. The third part of the first and second adjustable straps that is not secured to the harness member can define a free end of each strap that can be passed through the length adjusting means.

The first and second ring members are fixedly secured to the harness member at, or adj acent to, the first and second end parts, respectively, by the second part of the corresponding adjustable strap.

The one or more straps secured to the first and second ring members can further include an adjustable sternum (or chest) strap having a first part that defines a loop for receiving the first ring member, a second part that defines a loop for receiving the second ring member, and a releasable connecting member between the first and second parts. The adjustable sternum strap can include ength adjusting means. The length adjusting means can be integral with the releasable connector member, e.g., an adjustable two-part quick release connector having male and female parts. The adjustable sternum strap will typically include two straps, a first strap being secured between the first ring member and one of the male and female parts of the quick release connector member and a second strap being secured between the second ring member and the other one of the male and l'emale parts ol' the quick release connector.

The first connecting strap can have a first part that defines a loop for receiving the first ring member and a second part fixedly secured to a first connecting member adapted to be securable to a first lower side part of the mcksack. The second connecting strap can have a first part that defines a loop for receiving the second ring member and a second part fixedly secured to a second connecting member adapted to be securable to a second lower side part of the rucksack. As mentioned below, the first and second connecting straps can also be adapted to be releasably secured to a corresponding connecting assembly of the rucksack in other way& The adjustable straps can be fixedly secured to the harness member by stitching. The loops in the adjustable and connecting straps can also be formed by stitching, e.g., by passing an end of the strap around the corresponding ring member and stitching it down onto itself Other ways of fixedly securing the straps can also be used.

The first end part of the harness member can include a first guide loop and the second end part of the harness member can include a second guide loop. The guide loops can be straps or tabs that are fixedly secured to the harness member (e.g., by stitching) at their ends. The fourth and sixth connecting straps (see below) of the first and second connecting assemblies can be received through the guide loops when the harness member is secured to the rucksack in use.

The shoulder harness can further include securing means at the apex part of the harness member, The securing means can be flaps with hook or loop fastener material or any other suitable fastening means, The flaps can be received through securing loops or tabs provided at the upper part of the rucksack and then secured together using the hook or loop fastener material or other suitable fastening means.

The harness member can be padded.

The present invention can further provide a combination of a rucksack and a shoulder harness as described above, ihe shoulder harness being releasably secured al ihe apex part to an upper part of the rucksack and wherein the first connecting strap is releasably secured to a first lower side part of the rucksack and the second connecting strap is releasably secured to a second lower side part of the rucksack, In one arrangement, the first connecting strap can have a first part that defines a loop for receiving the first ring member and a second part fixedly secured to a first connecting member, and the second connecting strap can have a first part that defines a ioop for receiving the second ring member and a second part fixedly secured to a second connecting member. The rucksack can include a first connecting assembly with a third ring member, a third connecting strap (or tab) having a first part that defines a loop for receiving the third ring member and a second part fixedly secured to the first lower side part of the rucksack, arid a fourth connecting strap having a first part that defines a loop for receiving the third ring member and a second part releasably secured to the first connecting member of the shoulder harness. The rncksack can similarly include a second connecting assembly with a fourth ring member, a fifth connecting strap (or tab) having a first part that defines a loop for receiving the fourth ring member arid a second part fixedly secured to the second lower side part of the rucksack, and a sixth connecting strap having a first part that defines a loop for receiving the fourth ring member and a second part releasably secured to the second connecting member of the shoulder harness. It will be readily appreciated that in another arrangement the fourth arid/or sixth connecting straps can include a connecting member arid the first and/or second connecting straps of the harness member can have a second part that defines a free end and is releasably secured to the respective connecting member. In another arrangement an alternative way of releasably connecting together the first and third ring members and the second and fourth ring members (e.g., two-part quick release connectors and corresponding connecting straps) can be used.

The second part of the third connecting strap can be fixedly secured directly to the first lower side part of the rucksack or indirectly by means of a releasable connecting member (e.g., a two-part quick release connector) and the second part of the fifth connecting strap can be fixedly secured directly to the second lower side part of the rucksack or indirectly by means ol' a releasable connecting member (e.g., a Iwo-part quick release connector).

To summarise, the first and second ring members in one arrangement are each connected to an adjustable strap, a connecting strap that forms part of an adjustable sternum (or chest) strap, and a connecting strap that is adapted to be securable to a lower side part of the rucksack, typically by means of a corresponding connecting assembly provided as part of the rucksack. The third and fourth ring members of the connecting assemblies are each connected to at least one connecting strap that is fixedly secured to a lower side part of the rucksack, and to a connecting strap that is adapted to be securable to the connecting strap of the harness member, The corresponding connecting straps of the harness member and the connecting assemblies can be secured together (preferably in a releasable manner) by any suitable connecting means as described above.

The ring members are intended to be freely rotatable within the various loops and are typically circular, The various straps that are connected to the ring members by means of the loops can therefore adopt different angular orientations with respect to one another depending on loading etc. The first and second ring members are inter-connected through the adjustable sternum strap and help to spread the stress load across the rucksack wearer's body.

The straps can be made of a suitable webbing type material.

The present invention further provides a shoulder harness for use with a rucksack, the shoulder harness comprising a substantially v-shaped harness member having an apex part that includes securing means adapted to releasably secure the apex part to an upper part of the rucksack in use, and first and second arms extending from the apex part to terminate at first and second end parts.

The securing means can comprise at least one flap adapted to be receivable through a securing 1oop or tab provided at the upper part of the rucksack and releasably securable to a panel of' the harness member, In one arrangement, the securing means can comprise a first flap adapted to be receivable through a first tab provided at the upper part of the rucksack and releasably securable to a panel of the harness member, and a second flap adapted to be receivable through a second tab provided at the upper part of the rucksack and releasably securable to the first flap. The first and second securing tabs can be non-adjacent, i.e., there can be one or more intermediate securing tabs located between them. The user can select which of the securing tabs to use and hence adjust the position at which the shoulder harness is secured to the mcksack for improved comfort etc. Each flap can be in register with the panel of the harness member in a secured position.

The panel can comprise hook or loop fastener material and each flap can comprise hook or ioop fastener material, Other suitable fastening means can be used. The flaps can be received through the securing loops or tabs and then secured together using the hook or loop fastener material or other suitable fastening means.

The present invention further provides a combination of a rucksack having a plurality of securing tabs at an upper part thereof and a shoulder harness as described above.

The securing tabs can be arranged in a grid or ladder' arrangement and are located at an upper part of the rucksack in a side of the rucksack that is positioned adjacent the wearer's back in use, Other features of the shoulder harness and/or the rucksack can be as described above, Drawings Figure 1 shows a shoulder harness according to the present inventiow Figure 2 shows how an end part of the shoulder harness of Figure t is secured to a rucksack; and Figures 3A to 30 show how an apex part of the shoulder harness of Figure is secured to a mcksack.

Note ihal in the Figures, stitching is generally indicated by dashed lines.

A shoulder harness includes a substantially v-shaped padded harness member 2 which is adapted to be releasably secured to a rucksack 110, The harness member 2 includes an apex part 4 and has first and second arms Ga, 6b that extend from the apex part to terminate at first and second end parts 8a, 8b.

The apex part 4 includes a pair of flaps ba, bOb which are used to releasably secure the harness member 2 to an upper part of a rucksack as described in more detail below.

A first adjustable strap 12a has a first part 14a that is fixedly secured to the harness member 2 at the apex part 4 by stitching. A second part I 4b of the first adjustable strap 12a defines a loop t6 for receiving a first ring member t8a and is fixedly secured to the harness member 2 by rows of stitching which extend to about a mid-point of the first arm 6a as shown in Figure 1. A third part 14c of the first adjustaNe strap 12a is not secured to the harness member 2 and defines a free end 20.

Similarly, a second adjustable strap 12b has a first part 22a that is fixedly secured to the harness member 2 at the apex part 4 by stitching. A second part 22b of the second adjustable strap 12b defines a loop 24 for receiving a second ring member 18b and is fixedly secured to the harness member 2 by rows of stitching which extend to about a mid-point of the second arm 6b as shown in Figure 1. A third part 22c of the second adjustable strap 12b is not secured to the harness member 2 and defines a free end 26.

Each adjustable strap 12a, 12b includes a sliplock (or triglide) buckle 28 for length adjustment.

An adjustable sternum (or chest) strap includes a first strap 30a and a second strap 30b connected together by an adj ustable quick release connector 32. The first strap 30a has a first part 34a that is fixedly secured to a male part 36 of the adjustable quick release connector 32 and a second part 34b that is turned over the first ring member t8a and stitched down to define a loop 38. The second strap 30b has a first part 40a that is fixedly secured to a corresponding Female pan 42 oF the adjustable quick release connector 32 and a second part 40b that is turned over the second ring member 18b and stitched down to define a loop 44.

A first connecting strap 46a has a first part 48a that is turned over the first ring member 18a and stitched down to define a loop 50 and a second part 48b that is fixedly secured to a first connecting member 52.

Similarly, a second connecting strap 46b has a first part 54a that is turned over the second ring member 18b and stitched down to define a loop 56 and a second part 54b that is fixedly secured to a second connecting member 58.

The first end part 8a of the harness member 2 includes a first guide ioop 60 and the second end part 8b of the harness member includes a second guide loop 62.

The end parts 8a, 8b of the shoulder harness 2 are connected to the lower side parts of the rucksack 110 by means of first and second connecting assemblies. Although only one of the connecting assemblies 100 is shown in Figure 2, it will be readily appreciated that the other connecting assembly has the same construction and is connected to the first ring member 18a in the same manner.

The connecting assembly 100 includes a third ring member 102. A third connecting strap (or tab) 104 has a first part 1 06a that is turned over the third ring member 102 and stitched down to define a loop 108 and a second part 106b that is fixedly secured to the rucksack 110. A fourth connecting strap 112 has a first part I 14a that is turned over the third ring member 102 and stitched down to define a loop 116 and a second part 1 14b that defines a free end that is releasably secured to the second connecting member 58 as shown in Figure 2, e.g., by passing the second I 14b through the second connecting member, The fourth connecting strap U is also received through the second guide loop 62 as shown in Figure 2. A fifth connecting strap 118 has a first part I 20a that is turned over the third ring member 102 and stitched down to define a loop t22 and a second part 120b that is fixedly secured to the rucksack 110 by means of a two-part quick release conneclor 124.

The harness member 2 can be released from the lower side parts of the rucksack 110 by releasing the respective connecting strap from the connecting member (e.g., the fourth connecting strap U from the second connecting member 58), The various straps can be made of a suitable webbing type material. The hardware (e.g., ring members, sliplock buckles, quick release connectors, connecting members etc.) can be made of plastics material.

The way in which the harness member 2 is connected to the upper part of the mcksack will now be described with reference to Figures 3A to 3G. The side of the rucksack HO that is positioned adjacent the wearer's back in use includes an array of loops or tabs 126. The tabs 126 are arranged in a grid or ladder' arrangement. The harness member 2 can be secured to any suitable pair of tabs 126 within the array so that its position relative to the remainder of the mcksack t tO can be adjusted by the wearer, It will be readily appreciated that Figures 3A to 3G show the reverse side of the harness member 2, i.e., the side that will be in contact with the wearer's shoulders in use.

Figures 1 and 2 show the front side of the harness member 2, i.e., the outwardly-facing side when the rucksack is being worn.

As noted above, the harness member 2 includes a pair of flaps lOa, lOb at the apex part To secure the harness member 2 to the rncksack 110, the flaps ba, lob are inserted through a respective tab 126. In the sequence shown in Figures 3A to 3E, the first flap lOa is inserted through a first tab t26a and the second flap lOb is inserted through a second tab I 26b but they can be inserted in any order, The first and second tabs I 26a, I 26b are not adjacent but are spaced apart by three intermediate tabs.

The harness member 2 includes a panel 1 Oc at the apex part 4 of similar shape and size to the Ilaps lOa, lOb as shown in Figure 3A, The flaps iOa, lOb and the panel lOc are releasably secured together by hook and loop fastener material. In particular, the surface of the panel tOc shown in Figure 3A includes loop material, the rear surface ofthe flap lob (i.e., the surface shown in Figures 3A to 3D) includes hook material, the front surface of the flap lOb (i.e., the surface shown in Figure 3F) includes loop material, and the rear surface of the flap tOa (ic,, the surface shown in Figures 3A to 3F) includes hook material. But it will be readily appreciated that other combinations of hook and ioop material are possible as long as the surfaces that are brought into contact with each other have different material types (i.e., one has hook material and the other has loop material) to allow them to releasably secured together. Other ways of releasably securing together the flaps I Oa, lob can also be used instead of the hook and loop fastener material.

Once the flaps 1 Oa, I Ob have been inserted through the tabs 126a, 126b (i.e., the position shown in Figure 3E), the second flap lOb is folded down into register with the panel lOc and they are secured together by the hook and loop material on their opposing surfaces as shown in Figure 3F, The first flap iDa is then folded down into register with the second flap I Ob and they are secured together by the hook and ioop material on their opposing surfaces as shown in Figure 3G. In this position, the tabs 126a, 126b are held securely within the folded flaps IDa, iOb, The harness member 2 can be released from the upper part of the rucksack 110 by unfolding the flaps iDa, lOb to separate the hook and loop material and by removing the flaps from the tabs 126a, 126b.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A shoulder harness for use with a rucksack, the shoulder harness comprising: a substantially v-shaped harness member having an apex part that is adapted to be releasably securable to an upper part of the rucksack and first and second arms extending from the apex part to terminate at first and second end parts; a first ring member located at the first arm; a second ring member located at the second arm; one or more straps secured to the first ring member and including a first connecting strap that is adapted to be releasably securable to a first lower side part of the rucksack; and one or more straps secured to the second ring member and including a second connecting strap that is adapted to be releasably securable to a second lower side part of the rucksack.
2. A shoulder harness according to claim 1, further comprising a first adjustable strap having a first part that is fixedly secured to the harness member at the apex part, a second part that defines a loop for receiving the first ring member and is fixedly secured to the harness member at, or adjacent to, the first end part, and a third part that is not secured to the harness member.
3, A shoulder harness according to claim 2, wherein the first adjustable strap includes length adjusting means.
4. A shoulder harness according to claim 3, wherein the length adjusting means is located between the first and second parts of the first adjustable strap.
5. A shoulder harness according to any preceding claim, further comprising a second adjustable strap having a first part that is fixedly secured to the harness member at the apex part, a second part that defines a loop for receiving the second ring member and is fixedly secured to the harness member at, or adjacent to, the second end part, and a third part that is not secured to the harness member.
6. A shoulder harness according to claim 5, wherein the second adjustable strap includes length adjusting means.
7, A shoulder harness according to claim 6, wherein the length adjusting means is located between the first and second parts of the second adjustable strap.
8. A shoulder harness according to any preceding claim, further comprising an adjustable sternum strap having a first part that defines a ioop for receiving the first ring member, a second part that defines a ioop for receiving the second ring member, and a releasable connecting member between the first and second parts.
9. A shoulder harness according to claim 8, wherein the adjustable sternum strap includes length adjusting means.
10. A shoulder harness according to any preceding claim, wherein the first connecting strap has a first part that defines a ioop for receiving the first ring member md a second part fixedly secured to a first connecting member adapted to be securable to the first lower side part of the rncksack,
11. A shoulder harness according to any preceding claim, wherein the second connecting strap has a first part that defines a loop for receiving the second ring member and a second part fixedly secured to a second connecting member adapted to be securable to the second lower side part of the rncksack.
12. A shoulder harness according to any preceding claim, wherein the first end part ol' the harness member includes a flrsi guide loop and the second end of the harness member includes a second guide loop.
13. A shoulder harness according to any preceding claim, further comprising securing means at the apex part of the harness member. -13-N, A shoulder harness according to claim 13, wherein the securing means are flaps with hook or ioop fastener materiaL 5, A shoulder harness according to any preceding claim, wherein the harness member is padded.6, Combination of a rucksack and a shoulder harness according to any preceding claim, the shoulder harness being releasably secured at the apex part to an upper part of the rucksack and wherein the first connecting strap is releasably secured to a first lower side part of the rucksack and the second connecting strap is releasably secured to a second lower side part of the rucksack.17. Combination according to claim 16, wherein the first connecting strap has a first part that defines a loop for receiving the first ring member and a second part fixedly secured to a first connecting member, and the second connecting strap has a first part that defines a loop for receiving the second ring member and a second part fixedly secured to a second connecting member, the rucksack comprising: a first connecting assembly with a third ring member, a third connecting strap having a first part that defines a loop for receiving the third ring member and a second part fixedly secured to the first lower side part of the rucksack, and a fourth connecting strap having a first part that defines a loop for receiving the third ring member and a second part releasably secured to the first connecting member of the shoulder harness; and a second connecting assembly with a fourth ring member, a fifth connecting strap having a first part that defines a loop for receiving the fourth ring member and a second pan fixedly secured to the second lower side part ol' the rucksack, and a sixth connecting strap having a first part that defines a ioop for receiving the fourth ring member and a second part releasably secured to the second connecting member of the shoulder harness.18. Combination according to claim 17, wherein the second part of the third connecting strap is fixedly secured directly to the first lower side part of the rucksack and the second part of the fifth connecting strap is fixedly secured directly to the second lower side part of the rucksack.9, Combination according to claim 17, wherein the second part of the third connecting strap is fixedly secured to the first lower side part of the mcksack by means of a releasable connecting member and the second part of the fifth connecting strap is fixedly secured to the second lower side part of the rucksack by means of a releasable connecting member.20. A shoulder harness for use with a rucksack, the shoulder harness comprising a substantially v-shaped harness member having an apex part that includes securing means adapted to releasably secure the apex part to an upper part of the rucksack in use, and first and second arms extending from the apex part to terminate at first and second end parts.21. A shoulder harness according to claim 20, wherein the securing means comprises at least one flap adapted to be receivable through a securing tab provided at the upper part of the rucksack and releasably securable to a panel of the harness member.22. A shoulder harness according to claim 20 or claim 21, wherein the securing means comprises a first flap adapted to be receivable through a first securing tab provided at the upper part of the rucksack and releasably securable to a panel of the harness member, and a second flap adapted to be receivable through a second securing tab provided at the upper part of the rucksack and releasably securable to the first flap.23. A shoulder harness according to claim 21 or claim 22, wherein each flap is in register with the panel of the harness member in a secured position.24, A shoulder harness according to any of claims 21 to 23, wherein the panel comprises hook or loop fastener material and each flap comprises hook or loop fastener material, -15 - 25. Combination of a rucksack having a plurality of securing tabs at an upper part thereof and a shoulder harness according to any of claims 20 to 24.26. A shoulder harness substantially as herein described and with reference to the drawings.