Breakaway keeper

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

0001People who work at heights commonly don safety harnesses, which are connected to anchorage structures via lifelines or lanyards. Sometimes people use lanyards to temporarily connect to support structures while repositioning their lifelines. This is to ensure 100% tie-off. Commonly both lifelines and lanyards are connected to the users' dorsal D-rings. When not in use, the distal ends of the lanyards are connected to the users' harnesses, however, this could create safety hazards should the lanyards get caught and prevent the lifelines from functioning properly.

0002For the reasons stated above and for other reasons stated below, which will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the present specification, there is a need in the art for a breakaway keeper.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

0003The above-mentioned problems associated with prior devices are addressed by embodiments of the present invention and will be understood by reading and understanding the present specification. The following summary is made by way of example and not by way of limitation. It is merely provided to aid the reader in understanding some of the aspects of the invention.

0004In one embodiment, a breakaway keeper comprises a base and a loop portion. The base is configured and arranged to engage a strap. The loop portion extends outward from the base to form a channel configured and arranged to receive a portion of a connector. The loop portion is configured and arranged to be engaged by the connector, and the loop portion is configured and arranged to deform and release the connector when subjected to a predetermined force.

0005In one embodiment, a breakaway keeper for use with a safety harness comprises a base and a loop portion. The base is configured and arranged to engage a strap of the safety harness. The loop portion extends outward from the base to form a channel configured and arranged to receive a portion of a safety device. The loop portion is configured and arranged to be engaged by the safety device, and the loop portion is configured and arranged to deform and release the safety device when subjected to a predetermined force.

0006In one embodiment, a breakaway keeper for use with a safety harness comprises a base and a loop portion. The base is configured and arranged to engage a strap of the safety harness. The loop portion includes a first arm and a second arm. The first and second arms extend outward from the base to form a channel configured and arranged to receive a portion of a safety device. The first arm extends outward from a first side of the base, and the second arm extends outward from a second side of the base. Respective distal ends of the first arm and the second arm form a weakened portion. At least one of the first and second arms is configured and arranged to be engaged by the safety device and deform and release the safety device when subjected to a predetermined force.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

0007The present invention can be more easily understood, and further advantages and uses thereof can be more readily apparent, when considered in view of the detailed description and the following Figures in which: <ul id="ul0001" list-style="none"><li><figref idref="f0001">Figure 1</figref> is a front view of a breakaway keeper interconnecting a lanyard and a strap of a safety harness constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;</li><li><figref idref="f0001">Figure 2</figref> is a perspective view of the breakaway keeper shown in <figref idref="f0001">Figure 1</figref>;</li><li><figref idref="f0001">Figure 3</figref> is a bottom view of the breakaway keeper shown in <figref idref="f0001">Figure 1</figref>;</li><li><figref idref="f0001">Figure 4</figref> is a cross-section view of the breakaway keeper taken along the lines 4-4 in <figref idref="f0001">Figure 3</figref>;</li><li><figref idref="f0001">Figure 5</figref> is a side view of the breakaway keeper shown in <figref idref="f0001">Figure 3</figref>;</li><li><figref idref="f0001">Figure 6</figref> is a front view of the breakaway keeper shown in <figref idref="f0001">Figure 3</figref>;</li><li><figref idref="f0001">Figure 7</figref> is a rear view of the breakaway keeper shown in <figref idref="f0001">Figure 3</figref>;</li><li><figref idref="f0001">Figure 8</figref> is a cross-section view of the breakaway keeper taken along the lines 8-8 in <figref idref="f0001">Figure 7</figref>;</li><li><figref idref="f0002">Figure 9</figref> is a front view of the breakaway keeper shown in <figref idref="f0001">Figure 1</figref> connected to a strap of a safety harness;</li><li><figref idref="f0002">Figure 10</figref> is a rear view of the breakaway keeper shown in <figref idref="f0001">Figure 1</figref> connected to a strap of a safety harness;</li><li><figref idref="f0003">Figure 11</figref> is a perspective view of another embodiment breakaway keeper constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;</li><li><figref idref="f0004">Figure 12</figref> is a side view of the breakaway keeper shown in <figref idref="f0003">Figure 11</figref>;</li><li><figref idref="f0004">Figure 13</figref> is a front view of the breakaway keeper shown in <figref idref="f0003">Figure 11</figref> connected to a strap of a safety harness;</li><li><figref idref="f0005">Figure 14</figref> is a front view of the breakaway keeper shown in <figref idref="f0003">Figure 11</figref> connected to a first strap and a second strap of a safety harness;</li><li><figref idref="f0005">Figure 15</figref> is a side view of the breakaway keeper connected to the first strap and the second strap shown in <figref idref="f0005">Figure 14</figref>; and</li><li><figref idref="f0005">Figure 16</figref> is a perspective view of the breakaway keeper connected to the first strap and the second strap shown in <figref idref="f0005">Figure 14</figref>.</li></ul>

0008In accordance with common practice, the various described features are not drawn to scale but are drawn to emphasize specific features relevant to the present invention. Reference characters denote like elements throughout the Figures and the text.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

0009In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration embodiments in which the inventions may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and mechanical changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined only by the claims and equivalents thereof.

0010Embodiments of the present invention provide a breakaway keeper for interconnecting a strap and a device. For example, a strap could be a strap of a safety harness, and the device could be a safety device such as but not limited to a lifeline or a lanyard. The breakaway keeper is configured and arranged to deform when subjected to a predetermined force so that the device does not get caught and, therefore, prevent a user's lifeline from functioning properly. In addition to making sure the user's lifeline functions properly, the breakaway feature is intended to limit the force applied to the user's body during a fall when an unused leg of a Y-lanyard or self-retracting lifeline becomes taught and to reduce tripping and entanglement hazards.

0011The term "deform" is being used herein to describe any type of deformation including but not limited to at least temporary deforming, deflecting, breaking, and the like.

0012One embodiment breakaway keeper 100 is shown interconnecting a strap 122 of a safety harness and a snap hook 124 in <figref idref="f0001">Figure 1</figref>. The snap hook 124 could be connected to a lanyard or other suitable safety device. The breakaway keeper 100 is shown connected to a strap 122 of a safety harness in <figref idref="f0002">Figures 9 and 10</figref>.

0013The breakaway keeper 100 is shown in <figref idref="f0001">Figures 2-8</figref> and includes a base 101 and a loop portion 116. The base 101 includes a bar portion 113 and an extension member between which the strap 122 is routed. Preferably, the strap 122 is captured between the bar portion 113 and the extension member such that the breakaway keeper 100 does not readily slide along the length of the strap 122. Preferably, the extension member is configured and arranged for easy, retrofit attachment to the strap 122 without disassembling the safety harness.

0014The extension member includes a first U-shaped portion 103 and a second U-shaped portion 108. The first U-shaped portion 103 includes an intermediate portion 104c interconnecting extensions 104a and 104b that extend outward from opposing ends of the intermediate portion 104c. The second U-shaped portion 108 includes an intermediate portion 109c interconnecting extensions 109a and 109b that extend outward from opposing ends of the intermediate portion 109c. The intermediate portions 104c and 109c are operatively connected to opposing ends of the bar portion 113, the extensions 104a and 109a extend toward each other proximate one side of the bar portion 113, and the extensions 104b and 109b extend toward each other proximate the other side of the bar portion 113. The extensions 104a and 109a form a slot 111a, and extensions 104b and 109b form a slot 111b. A slot 112a is formed between the bar portion 113 and the extensions 104a and 109b, and a slot 112b is formed between the bar portion 113 and the extensions 104b and 109b.

0015The loop portion 116 is operatively connected to the base 101 and includes an arm 117a extending outward proximate one end of the bar portion 113 opposite extensions 104a and 104b and an arm 117b extending outward proximate the other end of the bar portion 113 opposite extensions 109a and 109b. The arms 117a and 117b curve or extend toward one another to form a weakened portion 118, which in this embodiment is a slot positioned between the distal ends of the arms. The weakened portion 118 could also include a score line or other suitable connection that would deform when subjected to a predetermined force. Between the arms 117a and 117b and the bar portion 113 is a channel 119 configured and arranged to receive a hook portion 125 of a snap hook 124 or any other suitable connector of a safety device.

0016Although any suitable material could be used, in this embodiment, at least the loop portion 116 is made of nylon. In this embodiment, the base 101 and the loop portion 116 are integral and made of nylon.

0017The breakaway keeper may be retrofittable for easy connection to a variety of straps. To connect the breakaway keeper 100 to a strap, such as a safety harness strap 122, a side of the strap is inserted through the slots 111a and 111b and then slid into one side of the slots 112a and 112b. Then the other side of the strap is inserted through the slots 111a and 111b and then slid into the other side of the slots 112a and 112b. The strap is then positioned in the slots 112a and 112b with the bar portion 113 positioned proximate one side of the strap and the extensions 104a, 104b, 109a, and 109b positioned proximate the other side of the strap. This is shown in <figref idref="f0002">Figures 9 and 10</figref>. In other words, the base 101 includes a bar portion and an extension member forming a path through which the strap is routed to engage the strap. In this embodiment, the extension member includes a first U-shaped portion and a second U-shaped portion forming a slot through which the strap is inserted to position the strap between the bar portion and the extension member.

0018A connector of a safety device, in this embodiment a snap hook 124 of a lanyard (not shown), is connected to the loop portion 116. If the weakened portion 118 is a slot, the arms 117a and 117b could at least temporarily deform so that the hook portion 125 could be positioned within the channel 119 when not in use, as shown in <figref idref="f0001">Figure 1</figref>. Alternatively, the gate of the snap hook 124 could be opened to position the hook portion 125 in the channel 119 and then closed to prevent the snap hook 124 from being released from the breakaway keeper 100.

0019Should the lanyard or other safety device get caught on something, the arms 117a and 117b are configured and arranged to at least temporarily deform, the weakened portion 118 deforms to release the lanyard or other safety device from the breakaway keeper 100. Therefore, the lanyard or other safety device will not interfere with the proper function of the user's lifeline or other fall protection equipment.

0020One embodiment breakaway keeper 200 is shown in <figref idref="f0003 f0004 f0005">Figures 11-16</figref>. The breakaway keeper 200 is shown connected to a strap 222 of a safety harness in <figref idref="f0004">Figure 13</figref>. Although not shown, a snap hook or other suitable connector could be connected to a lanyard or other suitable safety device and connected to the breakaway keeper 200 when not in use, similar to that shown in <figref idref="f0001">Figure 1</figref>.

0021The breakaway keeper 200 includes a base 201 and a loop portion 216. In the orientation shown in <figref idref="f0003 f0004 f0005">Figures 11-16</figref>, the base 201 includes a first bar portion 203 proximate a top and a second bar portion 208 proximate a bottom of the base 201. A first extension member 204 extends upward from proximate the first bar portion 203, and the first bar portion 203 and the first extension member 204 form a first slot 205. A second extension member 209 extends downward from proximate the second bar portion 208, and the second bar portion 208 and the second extension member 209 form a second slot 210. Preferably, the distal ends of the extension members 204 and 209 are angled in a forward direction. The slots 205 and 210 form a path through which the strap 222 is routed to engage the strap 222 and, preferably, the breakaway keeper 200 does not readily slide along the length of the strap 222. Optionally, as shown in <figref idref="f0005">Figures 14-16</figref>, another strap 223 could be operatively connected to the base 201. For example, the strap 223 could be a chest strap of a safety harness that is wrapped about the strap 222 and its distal end 223a is secured onto itself, for example with stitching or any other suitable securing member 223b, extending in a direction perpendicular to the strap 222, and the strap 222 could be a shoulder strap routed through the path formed by slots 205 and 210.

0022The loop portion 216 is operatively connected to the base 201 via the second extension member 209 and includes an arm 217a extending outward proximate one end of the second extension member 209 and an arm 217b extending outward proximate the other end of the second extension member 209. The arms 217a and 217b curve or extend toward one another to form a weakened portion 218, which in this embodiment is a slot positioned between the distal ends of the arms. The weakened portion 218 could also include a score line or other suitable connection that would deform when subjected to a predetermined force. Between the arms 217a and 217b and the second extension member 209 is a channel 219 configured and arranged to receive a hook portion of a snap hook or any other suitable connector of a safety device.

0023Although any suitable material could be used, in this embodiment, at least the loop portion 216 is made of nylon. In this embodiment, the base 201 and the loop portion 216 are integral and made of nylon.

0024To connect the breakaway keeper 200 to a strap, such as a safety harness strap 222, an end of the strap is routed through the slots 205 and 210. Preferably, the loop portion 216 is positioned so that it extends downward relative to the base 201. This is shown in <figref idref="f0004">Figure 13</figref>. In other words, the base 201 includes slots 205 and 210 forming a path through which the strap 222 is routed to engage the strap.

0025A connector of a safety device, which for example could be a snap hook of a lanyard (not shown), is connected to the loop portion 216. If the weakened portion 218 is a slot, the arms 217a and 217b could at least temporarily deform so that the hook portion could be positioned within the channel 219 when not in use, similar to what is shown in <figref idref="f0001">Figure 1</figref>. Alternatively, the gate of the snap hook could be opened to position the hook portion in the channel 219 and then closed to prevent the snap hook from being released from the breakaway keeper 200.

0026Should the lanyard or other safety device get caught on something, the arms 217a and 217b are configured and arranged to at least temporarily deform, the weakened portion 218 deforms to release the lanyard or other safety device from the breakaway keeper 200. Therefore, the lanyard or other safety device will not interfere with the proper function of the user's lifeline or other fall protection equipment.

0027The above specification, examples, and data provide a complete description of the manufacture and use of the composition of embodiments of the invention. Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that any arrangement, which is calculated to achieve the same purpose, may be substituted for the specific embodiment shown. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the invention. Therefore, it is manifestly intended that this invention be limited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof.