Body belt having added D-rings/attachment for retrofitting existing body belts

Abstract

A body belt for use by linemen and others engaged in operations on poles or similar structures having a secondary set of D-rings, typically disposed slightly rearward of the primary D-rings on the belt or an auxiliary belt or attachment above or below the primary D-ring of the belt. The secondary D-rings which may differ in size from the primary D-rings, allow a wearer to separate devices that are normally attached to the primary D-rings. This allows less crowding of the primary D-rings, thereby making detachment and reattachment of one or more ancillary safety devices from the body belt as a lineman encounters an obstacle during his or her work on a pole or other elevated structure, thereby improving safety. An add-on D-ring assembly is provided for retrofitting body belts of the prior art. In another embodiment of the invention, an auxiliary body belt is detachably connected to the primary body belt, the auxiliary body belt having its own set of D-rings. Rather than providing all four D-rings in a common plane, as described above, this embodiment provides one plane for the first set of D-rings (on the primary body belt) and a second, parallel plane for the second set of D-rings (on the auxiliary body belt).

Claims

1. A body belt assembly, comprising: a body pad comprising an outermost surface and an opposing innermost surface, each extending between a top perimeter and a bottom perimeter, wherein the top perimeter at least partially extends in a first plane and the bottom perimeter at least partially extends in a second plane, wherein the second plane is parallel to and offset from the first plane; a primary belt strap having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the primary belt strap is connected to the outermost surface of the body pad and does not extend beyond the top perimeter and the bottom perimeter; a primary pair of D-rings, comprising a first primary D-ring and a second primary D-ring, each directly and fixedly attached to said primary belt strap, which is passed through the first and second primary D-rings, the first primary D-ring on a first side of the primary belt strap and the second primary D-ring on a second side of the primary belt strap, such that the first primary D-ring and the second primary D-ring are substantially equidistant from a center location on the primary belt strap; an auxiliary belt strap having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the auxiliary belt strap is connected to the outermost surface of the body pad and is positioned at or between the bottom perimeter or the top perimeter and the primary belt strap; a secondary pair of D rings, comprising a first secondary D-ring and a second secondary D-ring, each directly affixed to said auxiliary belt strap, which is passed through the first and second secondary D-rings, the first secondary D-ring on a first side of the auxiliary belt strap and the second secondary D-ring on a second side of the auxiliary belt strap, such that the first secondary D-ring and the second secondary D-ring are substantially equidistant from a center location on the auxiliary belt strap; and wherein the body belt assembly is configured to secure a lineman to a pole when in use.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Various objects, features, and attendant advantages of the present invention will become more fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein;

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a typical body belt of the prior art;

(3) FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a lineman wearing the body belt of FIG. 1 and being deployed on a pole;

(4) FIG. 3 is a pictorial, front perspective view of a body belt in accordance with the invention;

(5) FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of an end portion of the body belt of FIG. 3;

(6) FIG. 5 is a pictorial, top perspective of the body belt of FIG. 3;

(7) FIG. 6 is a side view of the primary D-ring when it includes an integral attachment, either above or below primary D-ring attachment:

(8) FIG. 6A is a pictorial, front perspective view of a body belt in accordance with the invention;

(9) FIG. 7 is a top plan view of an auxiliary D-ring assembly for attaching to a body belt of the prior art to practice the present invention;

(10) FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view of the buckle assembly of FIG. 7;

(11) FIG. 9 is a right end elevational view of the buckle assembly of FIG. 7;

(12) FIG. 10 is a left end elevational view of the buckle assembly of FIG. 7;

(13) FIG. 11 is a left end elevational view of the buckle assembly of FIG. 10 with a pad inserted therein;

(14) FIG. 12 is a pictorial, front perspective view of a primary body belt and an auxiliary body belt having a second set of D-rings, in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;

(15) FIG. 13 is a pictorial, front perspective view of an alternate primary and auxiliary body belts similar to FIG. 12;

(16) FIG. 14 is a pictorial, front perspective view of a primary body belt and a streamlined, auxiliary body belt having a second set of D-rings, in accordance with still another embodiment of the invention; and

(17) FIG. 15 is a pictorial, front perspective view of an alternate primary and auxiliary body belts similar to FIG. 14.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT

(18) The present Invention provides an improved body belt for use by linemen and others engaged on poles or other elevated structures. The body belt in accordance with the present invention features an added, secondary set of D-rings/attachment points to improve functionality of the body belt and improve the safety of a user thereof.

(19) Referring first to FIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view of a body belt of the prior art, generally at reference number 100. Body belt 100 is designed to encircle the torso of the human at a point slightly above the wearer's hips, not shown. Body belt 100 has a belt strap 102 having a proximal end 106 and a distal end 104 terminating in a buckle 110. A pair of D-rings 108 is disposed on belt strap 102 of body belt 100 in positions to be substantially adjacent the midpoint of the wearer's right and left hips.

(20) Referring now to FIG. 2, there is a simplified schematic view 200 of a lineman 204 on a pole 202. Lineman 204 is wearing prior art body belt 100. Attached to D-rings 108 of body belt 100 is a positioning strap 208.

(21) Referring now to FIGS. 3, 4, and 5, there are shown an overall pictorial 20 perspective view, a partial, detailed, pictorial, perspective view, and a top perspective view, respectively, of a body belt in accordance with the present invention, generally at reference number 300. Body belt 300 has a belt strap 302 having a proximal end 306 and a distal end 304. A buckle 308 is securely fastened to belt strap 302 at distal end 304.

(22) Body padding 310 is affixed to an inside surface (i.e., the surface against a wearer's back, not shown, when the belt 300 is in use) of belt strap 302. Padding 310 forms no part of the present invention and is not further described herein.

(23) A distal, primary D-ring 312a is affixed to belt D piece 303 in a position coincident with a midpoint of the left side of a wearer hip when the body belt 300 is properly fitted to a wearer, not shown. Likewise, body belt 300 has a proximal, primary D-ring 312b affixed to belt D piece 303 at a position coincident with a midpoint of the right hip of a wearer of body belt 300 when properly fitted to the wearer.

(24) A secondary, distal D-ring 314a is disposed rearward of primary, distal D-ring 312a. Likewise, a secondary, proximal D-ring 314b is disposed rearward of primary proximal D-ring 312b. Secondary D-rings 314a and 314b are attached to a belt d piece 315 (see FIGS. 3 and 4). The term rearward is used with reference to the body of a wearer, not shown, when body belt 300 is properly positioned thereupon.

(25) In the embodiment chosen for purposes of disclosure, secondary D-rings 314a, 314b are shown smaller than primary D-rings 312a, 312b. It will be recognized that in alternate embodiments of the inventive body belt 300, secondary D-rings 314a, 314b could be of an equal or a larger size than primary D-rings 312a, 312b. Consequently, 20 the invention is not limited to any particular size relationship between primary D-rings 312a, 312b and secondary b-rings 314a, 314b. Rather, the invention includes any size relationship between primary D-rings 312a, 312b and secondary D-rings 314a, 314b.

(26) Secondary D-rings 314a, 314b may be flat or angled slightly outward, as shown, typically at an approximately 30 angle. The angle facilitates grasping the secondary b-rings 314a, 314b by the wearer of body belt 300 as secondary D-rings 314a, 314b may be out of sight of the wearer. In addition, secondary D-rings 314a, 314b may be in line with, above or below primary D-rings 312a, 312b.

(27) Other ancillary pockets, rings and attachment points, for example tool loops 316, tape thong 318, accessory ring 320, and accessory snap 322, are shown attached to belt strap 302 of body belt 300. As none of these structures or features forms any part of the present invention, they are not further described herein.

(28) Body belt 300 provides significantly improved functionality and resultant safety. A user, not shown, can spread the attachments (e.g., snap hooks) for ancillary safety equipment, not shown, between primary D-rings 312a, 312b, and secondary D-rings 314a, 314b. It will be recognized by those of skill in the art that numerous strategies can be used for deciding what ancillary equipment is attached to which D-ring. Regardless of a chosen strategy, a wearer has fewer devices attached to any given D-ring 312a, 312b, 314a, 314b when using the novel body belt 300. This naturally results in easier detachment and reattachment of any safety devices that must be detached when, for 20 example, an obstacle is encountered. The advantages of the novel body belt 300 have motivated the inventor thereof to provide an auxiliary D-ring assembly that may be retrofitted to a body belt 100 (FIG. 1) of the prior art.

(29) Referring now to FIG. 6, there is shown a side plan elevational view, of a D-ring assembly having an additional top attachment for use with a body belt 100 (FIG. 1) of the prior art. Additional attachment may be included at the bottom of the primary D-ring, as opposed to the top (FIG. 6A).

(30) Referring now to FIGS. 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11, there are shown top plan, bottom plan, right end elevational and two left end elevational views, respectively, of a D-ring assembly adapted for addition to a body belt 100 (FIG. 1) of the prior art. The novel D-ring assemblies 600 allow retrofitting such prior art body belts 100 to include secondary D-rings (FIGS. 3, 4 and 5), thereby improving the safety and ease of use of the body belt 100.

(31) A D-ring 602 is captured in a clip 604 that is fastened to a top or outer plate 606 by bolts 608 and nuts 610. While bolts 608 and nuts 610 have been chosen for purposes of disclosure, it will be recognized by those skilled in the art that other fastener components may be substituted therefor. Consequently, the invention is not considered limited to the particular fastener type chosen. D-ring 602 is rigidly fastened in clip 604.

(32) Top plate 606 and a corresponding bottom or inner plate 612 each have flange 20 regions 620 adapted to abut one another when top plate 606 meets bottom plate 612. Flange regions 620 each have pairs of through-holes, not shown, adapted to allow passage of cap screws 614 or similar threaded fasteners.

(33) Cap screws 614, acting cooperatively with nuts 616, secure flange regions 620 of upper plate 606 to corresponding flange regions 620 of lower plate 612.

(34) Upper plate 606, when connected to lower plate 612, defines a substantially rectangular inner region 622 adapted to receive the belt strap 102 (FIG. 1) of a body belt 100 therein. The design and dimensions of upper plate 606 and lower plate 612 are selected so that when belt strap 102 is placed in rectangular inner region 622, D-ring assembly 600 may be securely affixed thereto. One or more pads 224, best seen in FIG. 11, help compensate for differences in the thickness of belt strap 102.

(35) While U shaped top plate 606, U shaped bottom plate 612, cap screws 614 and nuts 616 have been chosen for purposes of disclosure, it will be recognized by those of skill in the art that other top and bottom plates shapes and fastener components may be substituted therefor. Consequently, the invention is not considered limited to the particular plate shape and fastener type chosen to secure upper plate 606 and lower plate 612.

(36) As shown in FIG. 11, one or more pads 624 are typically placed within cavity 622 over the top of nuts 610 to protect the surface of the belt strap or a body belt, not 20 shown, to which the buckle assembly 600 is to be attached. Depending on the thickness of the belt strap, multiple pads 624 may be required to securely affix buckle assembly 600 to the belt strap.

(37) In operation, cap screws 614 are separated from nuts 616 and U-shape upper plate 606 is at least partially separated from lower plate 612. One or more pads 624 are placed into the recess created by the upper plate 606 and lower plate 612. Web 102 is then placed into the recess and over one or more pads 624. D-ring assembly 600 is reassembled and as cap screws 614 and nuts 616 are reassembled and tightened, belt strap 102 in securely retained within inner region 622.

(38) Referring now to FIG. 12, an alternate embodiment of the multiple D-ring assembly of the invention is shown at reference numeral 700. A primary body belt 310 has b-rings 312a, 312b as described hereinabove. Attached to primary body belt 310 are two vertical, connector straps 354, respectively. Connector straps 354 are stitched, as shown, to the main portion of primary body belt 310. Although two vertical connector straps 354 are shown, it should be understood that a greater number of such connector straps as well as attachment methods can also be used without departing from the scope of the invention.

(39) Vertical connector straps 354 extend upwardly to respective positions on an auxiliary body belt 315. Connected to auxiliary body belt 315 are auxiliary D-rings 314a and 314b, providing the third and fourth D-rings in accordance with the invention. The auxiliary body belt 315 may be detachably connected to the primary body belt 310.

(40) Auxiliary body belt 315, having its own set of D-rings 314a, 314b, rather than providing all four D-rings in a common plane, as described with respect to the belt shown in FIGS. 3-5, provides one plane for the first set of D-rings 312a, 312b (on the primary body belt 310) and a second, parallel plane for the second set of D-rings 314a, 314b (on the auxiliary body belt 315). The size of primary body belt D-rings 312a, 312b is not necessarily the same as the size of auxiliary body belt D-rings 314a, 314b. Nor does the primary set of D-rings 312a, 312b have to be aligned with the auxiliary set of D-rings 314a, 314b.

(41) Referring now to FIG. 13, there is shown a pictorial view of a primary and auxiliary body belt assembly, similar to that shown in FIG. 12, above. In this embodiment, a second auxiliary body belt 302 is disposed above the auxiliary body belt 315. Retaining second auxiliary body belt 302 is a vertical strap 330. Second auxiliary body belt 302 is connected via vertical connector straps 354 to primary body belt 310. Primary body belt D-rings 312a, 312b may thus be connected to either auxiliary body belt 315, second auxiliary body belt 302, or both, as is well known in the art.

(42) Vertical connector straps 354 continue to extend downwardly, as described hereinabove, to respective positions on primary body belt 310. Once again, connected to primary body belt 310 are primary body belt D-rings 312a and 312b.

(43) Referring now to FIG. 14, a streamlined primary/auxiliary body belt combination 800 is shown. Primary body belt 310 has two D-rings 312a, 312b attached thereto. Vertical connector straps 354 are attached to primary body belt 310 in a manner well known to those skilled in the art. Vertical connector straps 354 extend upwardly to respective positions on an auxiliary body belt 315. Connected to auxiliary body belt 315 are auxiliary D-rings 314a, 314b, providing the third and fourth D-rings in accordance with the invention. The auxiliary body belt 315 may be detachably connected to the primary body belt 310, the auxiliary body belt 315 having its own set of D-rings 314a, 314b, rather than providing all four D-rings in a common plane, as described with respect to the belt shown in FIGS. 3-5. One plane encompasses the first set of D-rings 312a, 312b (on the primary body belt 310) and a second, parallel plane is for the second set of D-rings 314a, 314b (on the auxiliary body belt 315). Once again, the size of primary body belt D-rings 312a, 312b is not necessarily the same as the size of auxiliary body belt D-rings 314a, 314b. The primary set of D-rings 312a, 312b need not be aligned with the auxiliary set of D-rings 314a, 314b.

(44) Referring now to FIG. 15, there is shown a pictorial view of a primary and auxiliary body belt assembly 800, similar to that shown in FIG. 14, above. In this embodiment, a second auxiliary body belt 302 is disposed above the auxiliary body belt 315. Retaining second auxiliary body belt 302 are vertical straps 354. Second auxiliary body belt 302 is connected via vertical connector straps 354 to primary body belt 310. Auxiliary body belt D-rings 314a, 314b may thus be connected to either auxiliary body belt 315, second auxiliary body belt 302, or both, as is well known in the art. Secondary auxiliary belt 302 is constrained by a vertical strap 330 as shown.

(45) Vertical connector straps 354 continue to extend downwardly from auxiliary body belt 315 and second auxiliary body belt 302, as described hereinabove, to respective positions on auxiliary body belt 315. Once again, connected to primary body belt 310 are auxiliary D-rings 314a, 314b, providing the third and fourth D-rings in accordance with the invention.

(46) Since other modifications and changes varied to fit particular operating requirements and environments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention is not considered limited to the example chosen for purposes of disclosure, and covers all changes and modifications which do not constitute departures from the true spirit and scope of this invention.

(47) Having thus described the invention, what is desired to be protected by Letters Patent is presented in the subsequently appended claims.