Harness spacer, harness including the same, and method of attaching a harness spacer
A harness spacer includes a base having a first outer slot, a second outer slot, and a central slot, wherein the first outer slot, the second outer slot, and the central slot form an H-shape, a first arched member extending from the base and creating a first opening, and a second arched member extending from the base and creating a second opening, wherein the base is composed of a pliable material.
1 . A harness spacer comprising:
a base having a slotted opening including a first outer slot, a second outer slot, and a central slot, wherein the first outer slot, the second outer slot, and the central slot form an H-shape, and wherein the central slot extends from and joins central portions of the first outer slot and the second outer slot;
a first arched member extending from the base and creating a first opening; and
a second arched member extending from the base and creating a second opening,
wherein the base is composed of a material having a hardness within a range of Shore A 70-100,
wherein the first and second arched members each include a first leg extending from the base, a second leg extending from the base, and an arched portion connecting the first leg and the second leg,
wherein the first opening is a first enclosed opening with bounds defined by the base and the first leg, second leg, and arched portion of the first arched member,
wherein the second opening is a second enclosed opening with bounds defined by the base and the first leg, second leg, and arched portion of the second arched member,
wherein the first outer slot is disposed proximate a first edge of the base and the second outer slot is disposed proximate a second edge, opposite the first edge, of the base, and
wherein the first arched member extends from the base in a first area disposed between the first outer slot and the second outer slot on a first side of the central slot, and wherein the second arched member extends from the base in a second area disposed between the first outer slot and the second outer slot on a second side of the central slot.
2 . The harness spacer of claim 1 , wherein the base has a substantially rectangular shape.
3 . The harness spacer of claim 1 , wherein the first opening and the second opening share a common axis.
4 . The harness spacer of claim 1 , wherein the base includes a plurality of grooves formed on a side of the base opposite the first and second arched members.
5 . The harness spacer of claim 4 , wherein the plurality of grooves includes a first number of grooves formed between the first outer slot and the second outer slot on a first side of the central slot and a second number of grooves formed between the first outer slot and the second outer slot on a second side of the central slot.
6 . The harness spacer of claim 1 , wherein the base, the first arched member, and the second arched member are composed of the material having the hardness within the range of Shore A 70-100.
7 . The harness spacer of claim 1 , wherein the material is a thermoplastic material.
8 . The harness spacer of claim 1 , wherein the material has a hardness of about Shore A 91.
9 . A harness comprising:
a webbing; and
a harness spacer attached to the webbing, the harness spacer including:
a base having a slotted opening including a first outer slot, a second outer slot, and a central slot, wherein the first outer slot, the second outer slot, and the central slot form an H-shape, and wherein the central slot extends from and joins central portions of the first outer slot and the second outer slot;
a first arched member extending from the base and creating a first opening; and
a second arched member extending from the base and creating a second opening,
wherein the base is composed of a material having a hardness within a range of Shore A 70-100, and
wherein the webbing passes through the first outer slot and the second outer slot,
wherein the first and second arched members each include a first leg extending from the base, a second leg extending from the base, and an arched portion connecting the first leg and the second leg,
wherein the first opening is a first enclosed opening with bounds defined by the base and the first leg, second leg, and arched portion of the first arched member,
wherein the second opening is a second enclosed opening with bounds defined by the base and the first leg, second leg, and arched portion of the second arched member, and
wherein the first opening and the second opening share a common axis that is parallel to a length of the first outer slot and the second outer slot.
10 . The harness of claim 9 , further comprising:
a mounting plaque, wherein the webbing passes through the mounting plaque;
a D-ring, wherein the webbing passes through a slot in the D-ring; and
a bracket, wherein the bracket passes through first and second openings of the harness spacer.
11 . The harness of claim 10 , wherein the bracket is a dual self-retracting lifeline bracket.
12 . The harness of claim 10 , wherein the first and second arched members are pressed against the mounting plaque and the base is spaced apart from the mounting plaque.
13 . The harness of claim 9 , further comprising:
a carabiner, wherein the carabiner passes through the first and second openings of the harness spacer.
14 . The harness of claim 9 , the base includes a plurality of grooves formed on a side of the base opposite the first and second arched members.
15 . A method of attaching a harness spacer to a harness, the method comprising:
providing a harness spacer having a base having a slotted opening including a first outer slot, a second outer slot, and a central slot, wherein the first outer slot, the second outer slot, and the central slot form an H-shape, and wherein the central slot extends from and joins central portions of the first outer slot and the second outer slot, the harness spacer further including a first arched member extending from the base and creating a first opening, and a second arched member extending from the base and creating a second opening, wherein the base is composed of a material having a hardness within a range of Shore A 70-100, wherein the first and second arched members each include a first leg extending from the base, a second leg extending from the base, and an arched portion connecting the first leg and the second leg, wherein the first opening is a first enclosed opening with bounds defined by the base and the first leg, second leg, arched portion of the first arched member, and wherein the second opening is a second enclosed opening with bounds defined by the base and the first leg, second leg, and arched portion of the second arched member;
bending the base of the harness spacer by pressing the first and second arched members away from each other;
pushing webbing of the harness through the central slot while the base of the harness spacer is bent;
positioning the webbing such that the webbing passes through the first and second outer slots of the harness spacers;
releasing pressure on the first and second arched members of the harness spacer, and
positioning the webbing over the first arched member and second arched member.
16 . The method of claim 15 , further comprising:
passing a bracket through the first and second opening to attach the bracket to the harness spacer.
17 . The harness of claim 14 , wherein the plurality of grooves includes a first number of grooves formed between the first outer slot and the second outer slot on a first side of the central slot and a second number of grooves formed between the first outer slot and the second outer slot on a second side of the central slot.