BACKGROUND ART The need for protection from falls has long been felt by employees in dangerous professions, such as construction work, utility repairmen, and many others who must work at dangerous heights. The minimum requirements for such protection are described in 29 C. F. R. § 1926.502. The need has also been felt by hunters, who frequently wait for game sitting in elevated tree stands. Additionally, workers entering confined spaces face certain risks, such as lack of oxygen, or being injured while in a location with limited access for rescuers. The Occupational Health and Safety Administration also requires some entrants into confined spaces to wear body harnesses for attachment to a retrieval line. U. S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY ADMINISTRATION, PERMIT-REQUIRED CONFINED SPACES 11 (1998).

Given the importance of such safety precautions, it is no surprise that several other inventors have proposed various body harnesses for fall arresting.

However, no other safety harness within the knowledge of the present invention combines all of the advantages of ease of use, distribution of forces over the widest possible surface area, protection of the harness itself by the clothing, and ease of enforcement of rules requiring use of the harness.

An example of protective clothing unrelated to fall arresting systems is U. S. Pat. No. 2,709.667, issued May 31,1955 to Grubb et al., describing a fire fighter suit. The suit includes a helmet, jacket, and overalls made from fiberglass fabric. The overalls include a harness having a chest strap and a crotch strap, with a lift ring in back for attachment of a rescue line.

U. S. Pat. No. 2,979,153, issued April 11,1961 to Earl J. Hoagland et al., describes a safety suit. The safety suit includes a coverall garment having a harness system. The harness system includes a noose passing around each arm and leg, connecting at the back of the neck to a ring for connecting to a rescue line.

U. S. Pat. No. 4,076,101, issued Feb. 28,1978 to Lew Himmelrich, describes a coat having a harness. The harness passes around the wearer's waist and crotch, and connects to a descent control device in front.

U. S. Pat. No. 4,273,216, issued June 16,1981 to Weissmann, describes a jacket having an outer harness with shoulder and waist straps for anchoring the user in case he loses his footing. The straps are sewn to the jacket and to corresponding straps inside the jacket.

U. S. Pat. No. 4,302,847, issued Dec. 1,1981 to Miles, describes a jacket and pants having foam inserts protecting the lower back and hips.

U. S. Pat. No. 4,731,882, issued March 22,1988 to Ekman, describes a waistcoat or coverall including channels for a harness. The harness includes a belt, a pair of shoulder straps passing diagonally across the back and vertically across the front, attaching to the belt, and possibly a pair of crotch straps. The garment includes a D-ring in back for connecting to a safety line.

U. S. Pat. No. issued May 24,1988 to Roth, describes a windsurfing harness. The harness passes across the back of the arms and shoulders, and has a hook or glove at either end for holding the windsurfer to the sailboard boom.

U. S. Pat. No. 5,036,548, issued Aug. 6,1991 to Grilliot et al., describes a firefighter's combination trousers and safety harness. The safety harness includes a belt and a loop extending around each leg.

A loop and ring extends upward from the front of the trousers for connection to a safety line. A similar invention is described in U. S. Pat. No. 5,136,724, also issued to William L. Grilliot and Mary L.

Grilliot on Aug. 11,1992.

U. S. Pat. No. 5,738,046, issued April 14,1998 to Williams et al., describes a safety jacket and harness system. The harness includes a pair of torso straps, a pair of shoulder straps, and a central back strap having a ring for connection with a safety line. The jacket includes a plurality of flaps for snapping around the harness.

Great Britain Patent Document No. 218,467, published on July 10,1924, describes a harness for raising or lowering a person. The harness is made from rope fastened with brass rings. It has three loops: one fitting around the torso, and one for each leg.

Great Britain Patent Document No. 1,233,761, published on May 26,1971, describes a safety harness including front and back buoyant material.

Other safety harnesses are available in the prior art, but none of them teach a harness integrally secured to the interior of a garment. For example, U. S. Patent No. 3,424,134, issued January 28,1969 to Rosenblum, discloses an industrial harness having a panel for stabilizing the harness straps to the user.

U. S. Patent No. 3,701,395, issued October 31,1972 to Theobald, discloses a rescue and safety vest that is

quickly and easily placed on an injured person in order to safely lift the person from a hazardous situation. U. S. Patent No. 4,177,877, issued December 11,1979 to Gallinati, discloses a safety vest having tether attachments located at the shoulders. U. S.

Patent No. 4,273,215, issued June 16,1981 to Leggett, discloses safety harness for hunters having a rear gang connector for evenly distributing any tension in the supporting lifeline. U. S. Patent No. 4,623,335, issued December 2,1986 to Vinai, discloses rescue and securing harness having a suspension point that allows the suspended person to be in correct vertical alignment. The suspension point has a fastener to facilitate the suspension point against the back of the wearer. U. S. Patent No. 4,854,418, issued August 8,1989 to Hengstenberger et al., discloses a safety harness formed of a unitary continuous loop of material being stitched into a larger torso loop and a smaller handle loop. U. S. Patent No. 5,220,976, issued June 22,1993 to Gunter, discloses safety harness for use in a radioactive or chemically hostile environment. U. S. Patent No. 5,360,082, issued November 11,1994 to Bell, discloses a safety harness having a means for lowering the person safely after a fall. U. S. Patent No. 5,960,480, issued October 5, 1999 to Neustater et al., discloses a fall protection suit having channels for inserting the straps of the harness. U. S. Patent No. 5,970,517, issued October 26,1999 to Jordan, discloses a safety harness having an integral safety line.

None of the above safety systems offers the advantages of ease of use, wide distribution of forces, protection of the safety harness, and ease of enforcement offered by the present invention. None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singularly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed. Thus a combination

clothing/safety harness for fall arresting and rescue from confined spaces solving the aforementioned problems is desired.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION The invention is a combination article of clothing and safety harness intended for fall arresting and for rescue from confined spaces. Such a harness is useful for both working at dangerous heights and in confined spaces, and for hunting from a tree stand.

The article of clothing combined with the harness may be varied and selected as needed, with preferred and suggested articles of clothing being jackets, vests, overalls, and coveralls. Such garments provide ample fabric for sewing in a harness extending around the shoulders, waist, and crotch, thereby maximizing the surface area acted upon by the harness.

If a jacket or vest is used, the harness will have straps extending around the arms, waist, and crotch, connected by straps extending across the back. A pair of back straps will extend diagonally down the back, meeting in the center of the back between the shoulder blades. A D-ring attachment strap will extend upward from the juncture of the back straps, extending past the collar and protruding outside the jacket for connection with a safety line. The bottom of the back straps join a belt. Horizontal arm straps extend outward from the back straps, encircling each arm. A pair of crotch straps extend downward from the belt. Additional D-rings may be located at belt level. By donning the jacket or vest, buckling the crotch straps around each leg, and buckling the belt, the wearer has properly put on the harness.

If the clothing is a pair of overalls, the suspenders of the overalls form part of the harness.

Each suspender crosses diagonally across the front and

back of the torso, and then wraps around the opposite leg. A D-ring attachment strap extends from the rear juncture of the two suspenders, protruding outward from the overalls. Additional D-rings may be attached at waist level.

If the clothing is coveralls, the harness is similar to that used with the overalls, modified to accommodate the zipper in front of typical coveralls.

A shoulder strap extends vertically downward across the front of the torso, and diagonally downward across the back. The strap extending from the front of the left shoulder wraps around the left leg, and connects to the strap extending from the rear of the right shoulder. Likewise, the strap extending from the front of the right shoulder wraps around the right leg, and connects to the strap extending from the rear of the left shoulder. A D-ring attachment extends upward from the juncture of the two rear shoulder straps, protruding from the collar. Additional D- rings may be attached at waist level.

If the combination clothing/safety harness is used in the U. S. in the course of employment of the wearer, it must meet the requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Specifically, the attachment point for a safety line is in the center of the wearer's back, near shoulder level. D-rings have a minimum tensile strength of 5,000 lb., and are proof tested to a minimum of 3,600 lb. Buckles are drop- forged, made of pressed or formed steel, or made of equivalent materials. The harness is made of synthetic fibers. The overall system limits the maximum arresting force on the wearer to 1,800 lb. 29 C. F. R. § 1926 (d). If the combination clothing/safety harness is used for hunting or other recreational activities, US OSHA regulations do not apply, but the harness must still be capable of safely arresting a fall of the wearer.

The combination clothing/harness has important advantages for meeting the above requirements, and for ensuring compliance. By using a garment that the employee would likely wear anyway, the harness will always be present, increasing the likelihood that it will be attached to a safety line when required. The garment will be sized to fit the wearer, thereby increasing the comfort of the harness therein. The harness may be made adjustable in length by conventional means, further increasing comfort.

Donning the garment automatically positions the harness in the proper position for use, thereby eliminating the necessity of struggling with a complex arrangement of straps. Attaching the harness to the inside of the garment protects it from adverse weather conditions, prolonging its useful life. Labels on the garment may identify the garment as one containing a harness, and may additionally specify the last inspection date, thereby simplifying enforcement of safety requirements by the employer and by OSHA inspectors. If the wearer does fall, or must be rescued from a confined space, the attachment of the harness to the clothing allows the clothing to increase the surface area bearing against the user, so that the same force results in decreased pressure created by the harness.

The present invention further protects the wearer from suffering head injury when a unwanted fall occurs by providing an expandable attachment strap that positions a tethered D-ring above the back of the head of the wearer. This avoids blunt trauma injuries to the wearer upon falling. The expandable attachment strap is useful in situations where the wearer falls a substantial distance and rescue efforts would be greatly benefitted if the wearer were conscious. Upon falling the attachment strap partially detaches from the back of the garment and extends in length above

the wearer's head to avoid snapping the D-ring and tethering clasp into the back of the head of the wearer.

The expandable attachment strap is manufactured along with the garment and is connected to the harness. The attachment strap extends through the back of the garment and has a plurality of double folds which are stitched flat against the back of the garment. The stitched double folds provide the necessary strength to support the wearer in controlled tethered lifting or lowering operations. Upon an unwanted fall however, the stitching breaks to extend one end of the attachment strap above the wearer's head.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of a combination jacket/safety harness for fall arresting and rescue from confined spaces according to the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a front view of the inside of a combination jacket/safety harness according to the present invention.

Fig. 3. is an environmental, perspective view of a combination jacket/safety harness according to the present invention, showing placement of the harness resulting from wearing the jacket.

Fig. 4 is an environmental, perspective view of a combination overalls/safety harness according to the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a top view of the inside of a combination overalls/safety harness according to the present invention.

Fig. 6 is a top perspective view of the inside of a combination coveralls/safety harness according to the present invention.

Fig. 7 is an environmental, perspective view of a combination coveralls/safety harness according to the present invention.

Fig. 8 is an environmental, perspective view of a combination vest/safety harness according to the present invention.

Fig. 9 is an environmental view of the combination garment/harness having the expandable attachment strap according to the present invention.

Fig. 10 is an elevational view of the expandable attachment strap of the present invention shown foldably secured to the back of the combination garment/harness to provide a first length.

Fig. 11 is an elevational view of the expandable attachment strap of the present invention extended to a second length.

Fig. 12 is a view of a prior art attachment strap.

Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The present invention is a combination clothing/safety harness, intended for use as a fall arresting system or as a rescue system for confined spaces. The harness can be combined with different types of clothing, with preferred and suggested choices being a jacket or overalls. The harness includes one or more D-rings for attachment to a safety line.

A preferred and suggested embodiment of the combination clothing/safety harness includes an upper body garment. Referring to Figs. 2-3, a combination safety harness/jacket 10 is shown. The jacket 16 includes torso portion 34, having rear panel 72 and front panels 74,76, defining armholes 106 therebetween

for attached sleeves 32. Fig. 8 shows a combination safety harness/vest 104, having an safety harness 66 identical to that used in the jacket 16. The jacket 16 and vest 104 will therefore be described simultaneously.

The safety harness 66 is attached to the inside of jacket 16 or vest 104, preferably by stitching. The safety harness 66 includes a pair of back straps 12,14 extending diagonally down the back of the jacket 16.

Back straps 12,14 connect at their upper portion, forming D-ring attachment strap 18, having D-ring 20.

D-ring attachment strap 18 extends upward beyond the collar 22 of jacket 16, positioning D-ring 20 outside the jacket 16, so that it is centered between the wearer's shoulders, for attachment of a safety line 24 (Fig. 1).

Horizontal arm strap 26 extends horizontally across the back of jacket 16, connecting to back straps 12,14, and connecting at each end to arm encircling straps 28,30. The arm encircling straps 28,30 encircle the armholes 106 of jacket 16, or vest 104.

The back straps 12,14, the horizontal arm strap 26, and arm encircling straps 28,30 are all attached to the jacket 16 along their entire length, preferably by stitching.

Belt 36 extends horizontally across the jacket or vest's torso portion 34, connecting to the bottom of back straps 12,14. The belt 36 is attached to the jacket 16 or vest 104, preferably by stitching, along its central portion 54, corresponding to back panel 72, and detached at end portions 56, corresponding to front panels 74,76. Mating buckle portions 38,40 are joined to each end portion 56 of belt 36. Front crotch straps 42,44, and rear crotch straps 46,48, attach to belt 36 directly underneath each sleeve 32 or armhole 106, at the juncture between back panel 72 and front panels 74,76. The belt 36 is attached to

the jacket 16 or vest 104, preferably by stitching, along its central portion 54, corresponding to back panel 72, and detached at end portions 56, corresponding to front panels 74,76. Each rear crotch strap 42,44 includes a buckle portion 40, and each front crotch strap includes a corresponding buckle portion 38. Rear crotch straps 46,48 are longer than front crotch straps 42,44, thereby ensuring that the mating buckle portions 38,40 connect in front of the legs 50 of wearer 52, making them accessible to the wearer. It is suggested that the rear crotch straps 46,48 include hook and loop component 58, for mating with hook and loop component 60 located on the jacket or vest's torso portion 34 adjacent to sleeves 32, thereby securing the crotch straps 42,44,46,48 within the jacket 16 when not in use. Belt end portions 56, and crotch straps 42,44,46,48, preferably use conventional means for adjusting their length.

The jacket 16 or vest 104 preferably includes labels 68, having indicia designating the jacket 16 or vest 104 as one containing a safety harness. The labels 68 may optionally include information regarding OSHA approval or the last inspection date. The labels 68 thereby allow employers or OSHA inspectors to verify that proper safety equipment is being used.

Referring to Figs. 1,3 and 8, when wearer 52 dons jacket 16 or vest 104, his arms 62 are placed within arm encircling straps 28,30 by simply inserting the arms 62 into the sleeves 32 or armholes 106 as one typically dons a jacket or vest. Belt 36 is automatically positioned around the wearer's waist 64.

Crotch straps 42,44,46,48 are automatically positioned adjacent to the wearer's legs 50. By connecting the mating buckle portions 38,40 of belt 36 and mating crotch straps 42,44,46,48, the wearer is now wearing the harness. Attaching safety line 24 to D-ring 20 protects the wearer from falls while working atop

scaffold 70. Please note that safety line 24 is represented diagrammatically, and because safety lines are well known, no attempt has been made to illustrate the safety 24 line according to OSHA specifications.

Jacket 16 and vest 104 preferably include additional D-rings 20 located at waist level, stitched to jacket 16 or vest 104 so that the stitching secures the D- rings 20 to belt 36. These additional D-rings may be used either to secure a safety line 24 to either side of wearer 52, or to secure a position limiting line (not shown) to the rear of wearer 52, preventing him from approaching anywhere a danger of falling exists.

A second preferred embodiment of the combination clothing/safety harness includes a full body garment, such as overalls or coveralls. Referring to Figs. 4 and 5, a combination overalls/safety harness 80 is shown. The combination overalls/safety harness 80 includes overalls 82 and safety harness 84. Overalls 82 include a pair of legs 86,87, a bib 88, and a back panel 90.

Harness 84 includes a pair of straps 92,94. Each strap 92,94 includes a front suspender portion 96 and a rear suspender portion 98, forming both the shoulder portion of harness 84 and the suspenders of overalls 82. Rear suspender portion 98 includes buckle portion 38, and front suspender portion 96 includes the corresponding buckle portion 40. Rear suspender portions 98 are longer than front suspender portions 96, thereby placing mating buckle portions 38,40 within easy reach of wearer 52.

Straps 92,94 both attach to bib 88 below front suspender portions 96, joining each other, and then extend diagonally towards the opposite side leg, with strap 92 extending towards leg 86, and strap 94 extending towards leg 87. Strap 92 encircles leg 86, forming crotch strap 100, and strap 94 encircles leg 87, forming crotch strap 102. Each strap 92,94 then

extends diagonally upward across back panel 90, joining each other, and continuing to extend upwards until forming rear suspender portions 98. Straps 92,94 are preferably attached along their entire length between the suspender portions 96,98 to overalls 82, preferably by stitching. The length of suspender portions 96,98 may be adjusted by well known conventional means.

D-ring attachment strap 18 extends upward from the crossing of straps 92,94 on rear panel 90, positioning D-ring 20 outside of overalls 82, centrally on the back of wearer 52, between his shoulders. Additional D-rings 20 may attach to overalls 82 at waist level, for use with safety lines 24 or with position limiting lines.

The overalls 82 preferably include label 68, having indicia designating the overalls 82 as containing a safety harness. The label 68 may optionally include information regarding OSHA approval or the last inspection date. The label 68 thereby allows employers or OSHA inspectors to verify that proper safety equipment is being used.

By placing legs 50 within legs 86,87 of the overalls, user 52 automatically positions the crotch straps 100,102 around his legs 50. Suspender portions 96,98 are automatically positioned around the torso, so that joining the buckle portions 38,40, as one would to don overalls, completes the process of putting on the harness. Connecting safety line 24 to D-ring 20 allows wearer 52 to safely work on scaffold 70.

Referring to Figs. 6-7, a combination safety harness/coveralls is illustrated. Coveralls 108 include a torso portion 110 having right front panel 112, left front panel 114, rear panel 116, and right and left sleeves 118,119, and a pants portion 120 including right leg 122 and left leg 124. The harness

126 includes a strap 128, extending vertically along right front panel 112 from above sleeve 118 to right leg 122. The strap 128 wraps around right leg 122, and extends diagonally across rear panel 116, above sleeve 119, and vertically along left front panel 114.

Strap 128 continues around left leg 124, extending diagonally across rear panel 116, crossing over and attaching to itself at intersection 130, and finally extending towards front panel 112 above sleeve 118, thereby forming a single continuous loop. Defined within the single continuous loop are suspender portions 134,136, and crotch straps 138,140. The strap 128 is stitched to coveralls 108 along its entire length, and to itself at intersection 130. D- ring extension strap 18 extends upward from rear panel 128 at the intersection 130, terminating above collar 22, and securing D-ring 20. The D-ring 22 is thereby positioned centrally on the back of wearer 52 for attachment of safety line 24.

The coveralls 108 preferably include label 68, having indicia designating the coveralls 108 as containing a safety harness. The label 68 may optionally include information regarding OSHA approval or the last inspection date. The label 68 thereby allows employers or OSHA inspectors to verify that proper safety equipment is being used.

By placing legs 50 within legs 122,124 of the coveralls 108, user 52 automatically positions the crotch straps 138,140 around his legs 50. Suspender portions 134,136 are automatically positioned over the wearer's shoulders when the wearer inserts his arms 62 into the sleeves 118,119. Zipping the zipper 132, as one would to don coveralls, completes the process of putting on the harness. Connecting safety line 24 to D-ring 20 allows wearer 52 to safely work on scaffold 70.

Both embodiments of the invention have been illustrated as fall-arresting systems for construction workers. However, they may be used in like manner as rescue systems in confined spaces. Just as a safety line 24 connected to D-ring 20 will arrest the fall of wearer 52, it will also allow co-workers to lift wearer 52 from a confined space without entering the confined space. Such a rescue could become necessary if a lack of oxygen or harmful chemicals are discovered within the confined space.

If the combination clothing/safety harness is used in the course of employment of the wearer, it must meet the requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Specifically, D-ring 20 must be in the center of the wearer's back, near shoulder level. D-rings 20 must have a minimum tensile strength of 5,000 lb., and be proof tested to a minimum of 3,600 lb. Buckles 38,40 must be drop- forged, made of pressed or formed steel, or made of equivalent materials. The harness must be made of synthetic fibers. The overall system must limit the maximum arresting force on the wearer to 1,800 lb. 29 C. F. R. § 1926 (d).

Referring now to Fig. 12, the prior art extendable back strap 300 is shown having a hook up or suspension point 310 similar to that of U. S. Patent No. 4,625,335 to Vinai, herein incorporated by reference. The back strap 300 is of a standard length for harnesses in the art. As such the back strap 300 has a fold 320 (shown in dotted lines) that allows the suspension point 310 to be movably secured via fastener 330A, 330B to a section of the back strap 300. The length of the back strap 300 after unfolding places the suspension point 310 and tethering clasp (not shown) at the back of the head of the wearer. This prior art arrangement may result in injury, i. e., blunt trauma, to the head if the wearer suffers a significant fall.

Fig. 9 illustrates the breakaway expandable attachment strap according to the present invention.

As seen in this figure, a person 290 wearing the combined garment and harness 280 of the present invention is supported by a tether line 292 following an unwanted fall. The breakaway expandable strap 200 in the extended position protects the head 294 of the wearer 290 from being injured by the D-ring and tethering clasp (generally referred to at 250).

Initially, a first distance of the folded strap 200 as measured from approximately the top or collar of the garment 280 to the D-ring 222 is defined by the length "1" (Fig. 10). Upon unfolding of the attachment strap 200 due to an unwanted fall, a second distance is defined. The second distance of the unfolded strap 200 as measured from approximately the top or collar of the garment 280 to the D-ring 222 is defined by the length"L" (Fig. 11). The length"L"is greater than the length"1"such that the D-ring and tethering clasp 250 extends above the head of wearer 290 to prevent injury to the back of the wearer's head.

Fig. 10 shows the attachment strap 200 having the length"1"as the strap extends from the back of the combination garment and harness. The attached strap is shown as a"V"however, it is within the scope of the present invention to provide the attachment strap 200 as a single band of material. The attachment strap 200 has a plurality of double folds 210 that shorten the strap to the first length"1". The plurality of double folds 210 are secured upon themselves by stitching 220. The stitching 220 is of suitable strength to provide support for the weight of the wearer 290 in a controlled lifting or lowering operation.

However, under sufficient force, such as the weight of a falling wearer, the stitching 220 breaks allowing the plurality of double folds 210 of the attachment

strap 200 to expand to a length"L"as seen in Fig.

11. At the second length"L"the back of the head of the wearer 290 avoids any sudden impact from the D- ring and tethering clasp 250, and maintains the wearer 290, by virtue of the combination garment and harness 280, in proper vertical alignment. This would allow the wearer 290 to remain conscious, which is particularly beneficial where the wearer's assistance is needed. By maintaining consciousness, the wearer 290 would be able to provide feedback or other positional manipulations to facilitate any rescue attempts.

The breakaway expandable attachment strap 200 of the present invention provides the wearer 290 with a comfortable, annoyance free tethering point, while giving the wearer 290 the extra measure of support, while preventing possible head injury. The combination garment and harness having the breakaway attachment strap could also be used for recreational activities, such as a hunter waiting for game in an elevated tree stand. If the combination garment and harness is used for hunting or other recreational activities, OSHA regulations do not apply, but the harness must still be capable of safely arresting a fall of the wearer without the possibility of suffering a blunt head trauma, or the like.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.