U.S. patent application number 13/667584 was filed with the patent office on 2013-05-16 for harness.
The applicant listed for this patent is Tomohiro HACHISUKA, Masahiro ITO. Invention is credited to Tomohiro HACHISUKA, Masahiro ITO.
Application Number | 20130119100 13/667584 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47227409 |
Filed Date | 2013-05-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130119100 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
ITO; Masahiro ; et
al. |
May 16, 2013 |
HARNESS
Abstract
A harness is worn by an operator to support a power tool, and
has a pair of shoulder strap pads that are detachably held on both
shoulders of the operator, and a waist pad that is detachably held
on a waist of the operator. The harness includes an attaching and
detaching member that allows the pair of shoulder strap pads to be
attached to and detached from the waist pad at one position on a
front side of the operator. The harness further includes a side pad
that contacts a side or flank of the operator when the operator
wears the harness.
Inventors: |
ITO; Masahiro; (Numazu-shi,
JP) ; HACHISUKA; Tomohiro; (Anjo-shi, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
ITO; Masahiro
HACHISUKA; Tomohiro |
Numazu-shi
Anjo-shi |
|
JP
JP |
|
|
Family ID: |
47227409 |
Appl. No.: |
13/667584 |
Filed: |
November 2, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
224/259 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01D 34/902 20130101;
A45F 3/14 20130101; A45F 2003/146 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
224/259 |
International
Class: |
A45F 3/15 20060101
A45F003/15 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 11, 2011 |
JP |
2011-247808 |
Claims
1. A harness that is worn by an operator to support a power tool,
comprising: a pair of shoulder strap pads that are detachably held
on both shoulders of the operator; a waist pad that is detachably
held on a waist of the operator; and an attaching and detaching
member that allows the pair of shoulder strap pads to be attached
to and detached from the waist pad at one position on a front side
of the operator.
2. The harness according to claim 1, wherein the waist pad extends
in a lateral direction, and in a vertical direction of the harness,
the waist pad is located below a position where the shoulder strap
pads are coupled to the waist pad via the attaching and detaching
member.
3. The harness according to claim 2, wherein a horizontal portion
is provided in a lowermost part of the waist pad.
4. The harness according to claim 2, wherein a lowermost part of
the waist pad is provided in a central part of the waist pad in the
lateral direction.
5. The harness according to claim 1, further comprising: a side pad
that contacts a side or flank of the operator when the operator
wears the harness.
6. The harness according to claim 5, further comprising: a
fastening belt that allows the side pad to be fastened on the side
or flank of the operator, wherein the fastening belt is inserted
through and held in the attaching and detaching member, and is
attached to at least one of the shoulder strap pads such that the
fastening belt is adjustable in length.
7. The harness according to claim 6, wherein the attaching and
detaching member is formed by a position adjusting belt that is
connected to a male member of a buckle, and is attached to one of
the pair of shoulder strap pads such that the position adjusting
belt is adjustable in length, a first plate position adjusting belt
that is inserted through and held in a first plate fixed to the
male member, and that is adjustable in length by a belt length
adjuster attached to the waist pad, the fastening belt that is
inserted through and held in a female member of the buckle, which
is to be coupled to the male member, that is attached to the other
shoulder strap pad such that the fastening belt is adjustable in
length, and that allows the side pad to be fastened on the side or
flank of the operator on the other shoulder strap pad side, and a
second plate position adjusting belt that is inserted through and
held in a second plate fixed to the female member, and that is
adjustable in length by another belt length adjuster attached to
the waist pad.
8. The harness according to claim 2, wherein the waist pad is fixed
to an outer surface of a lower part of the back plate.
9. The harness according to claim 4, wherein the waist pad is
shaped so as to be tilted obliquely upward to left and right from
the lowermost part.
10. The harness according to claim 8, wherein a support belt that
supports the waist pad on one lateral side of the operator is
attached to the back plate.
11. The harness according to claim 10, wherein one end of the
support belt is sewn on the waist pad on the one lateral side, and
the other end of the support belt is movably engaged with a belt
length adjuster attached to a belt that is connected to the back
plate.
12. The harness according to claim 10, wherein the support belt is
provided, in a region thereof in an extending direction, with a
portion that is formed by folding the support belt along a
centerline thereof in a lateral direction so that both ends of the
support belt in the lateral direction face each other, and sewing
the both ends together.
13. The harness according to claim 7, wherein one end of the
fastening belt is fixed to the back plate, and the other end of the
fastening belt is movably engaged with a belt length adjuster
attached to the other shoulder strap pad.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent
Application Number 2011-247808 filed on Nov. 11, 2011, the entirety
of which is incorporated by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to harnesses the operator
wears in order to support a power tool such as a brush cutter or a
blower.
BACKGROUND ART
[0003] When working with a power tool such as a brush cutter or a
blower, the operator wears work equipment called "harness" in view
of workability, and for example, the operator engages the power
tool with the harness by hanging the power tool therefrom, so that
he/she can support the weight of the power tool with his/her body.
As described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No.
H10-98930 (JP H10-98930 A), a known harness includes a back plate
that is placed on the back of the operator, shoulder belts and a
side belt which are fixed to the back plate, and a pelvis belt that
is placed below the side belt and is fixed to the side belt via an
adjusting band. In this harness, with the shoulder belts being
placed on the shoulders of the operator, and the side belt being in
contact with his/her body on the left side of the operator, the
pelvis belt is brought into close contact with the waist of the
operator by using the band.
[0004] As described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No.
2005-143453 (JP 2005-143453 A), another known harness includes a
back plate, a waist belt fixed to the back plate, shoulder belts
each having its one end fixed to the back plate and the other end
engaged with a band that is attached to the waist belt, first and
second side belts that have their one ends respectively fixed to
the right and left sides of the back plate, and that are brought
into contact with the left and right sides of the operator's body,
and a support belt that has its one end fixed to the back plate and
has its intermediate part to which the other end of the second side
belt is fixed, and that supports a support member engaging a brush
cutter etc. In such harness, with the shoulder belts being placed
on the shoulders of the operator, and the side belts being in
contact with lateral muscles of the operator, a male member of a
buckle attached to the other end of the first side belt is engaged
with a female member attached to the other end of the support belt,
on the front side of the operator.
[0005] However, in the harness described in Japanese Patent
Application Publication No. H10-98930 (JP H10-98930 A), a large
part of the weight of the power tool is carried by the side belt
located on the left side of the operator and the pelvis belt. Thus,
the load is intensively applied to the left side of the operator's
body and the waist of the operator, which may increase a burden on
the operator. Since the harness described in Japanese Patent
Application Publication No. 2005-143453 (JP 2005-143453 A) uses the
first and second side belts, the weight of the power tool can be
prevented from being intensively imposed on one side of the
operator's body. However, the shoulder belts are merely connected
to the waist belt by the bands. Thus, the structure of the harness
described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No.
2005-143453 (JP 2005-143453 A) cannot actually distribute the
weight of the power tool to the shoulder belts and the waist belt,
and thus cannot sufficiently reduce the burden on the operator.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention was proposed in view of the above
problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a
harness capable of reducing a burden on the operator.
[0007] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a
harness that is worn by an operator to support a power tool
includes a pair of shoulder strap pads that are detachably held on
both shoulders of the operator, a waist pad that is detachably held
on a waist of the operator, and an attaching and detaching member
that allows the pair of shoulder strap pads to be attached to and
detached from the waist pad at one position on a front side of the
operator.
[0008] According to a second aspect of the present invention, in
the first aspect, the waist pad extends in a lateral direction, and
in a vertical direction of the harness, the waist pad is located
below a position where the shoulder strap pads are coupled to the
waist pad via the attaching and detaching member.
[0009] According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the
second aspect, a horizontal portion is provided in a lowermost part
of the waist pad.
[0010] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in
the second aspect, a lowermost part of the waist pad is provided in
a central part of the waist pad in the lateral direction.
[0011] According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the
first aspect, the harness further includes a side pad that contacts
a side or flank of the operator when the operator wears the
harness.
[0012] According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the
fifth aspect, the harness further includes a fastening belt that
allows the side pad to be fastened on the side or flank of the
operator, wherein the fastening belt is inserted through and held
in the attaching and detaching member, and is attached to at least
one of the shoulder strap pads such that the fastening belt is
adjustable in length.
[0013] According to the first aspect of the present invention, the
weight of the power tool is distributed to the pair of shoulder
strap pads and the waist pad which are coupled together via the
attaching and detaching member, whereby the burden on the operator
can be reduced.
[0014] Since the attaching and detaching member is used, the pair
of shoulder strap pads can be attached to and detached from the
waist pad at one position on the front side of the operator. This
facilitates the operation of attaching and detaching the pair of
shoulder strap pads to and from the waist pad. Thus, the operator
can easily wear and take off the harness.
[0015] According to the second aspect of the present invention,
when the shoulder strap pads are attached to the waist pad by the
attaching and detaching member, the waist pad can be kept in an
attitude tilted obliquely upward toward the front side of the
operator, while being in close contact with the waist of the
operator. Thus, the waist pad is less likely to slide down the
operator's waist.
[0016] According to the third aspect of the present invention, the
horizontal portion makes it easier for the lowermost part of the
waist pad to closely contact the operator's waist when the operator
wears the harness.
[0017] In addition, the waist pad can be placed in a stable
attitude on the ground with the horizontal portion of the waist pad
being in contact with the ground. When the waist pad is placed on
the ground, dirt etc. adheres only to the horizontal portion, and
does not adhere to the entire lower surface of the waist pad. Thus,
the lower surface of the waist pad can be prevented from entirely
getting dirty.
[0018] According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the
state in which the central part of the waist pad in the lateral
direction, corresponding to the lowermost part of the waist pad,
can easily closely contact the operator's waist can be created when
the operator wears the harness.
[0019] According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the
weight of the power tool is also distributed to the side pad,
whereby the burden on the operator can further be reduced.
[0020] According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, an
operation of fastening the shoulder strap pads in a direction
toward the shoulders of the operator and an operation of fastening
the side pad on the side or flank of the operator can be
simultaneously performed by adjusting the length of the fastening
belt.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] FIG. 1 is a developed view of a harness according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0022] FIG. 2 is a back view of the harness worn by the
operator.
[0023] FIG. 3 is a side view of the harness.
[0024] FIG. 4 is a front view of the harness.
[0025] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a shoulder strap pad
included in the harness.
[0026] FIG. 6 is a plan view of a waist pad included in the
harness.
[0027] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a main part taken
along line A-A in FIG. 6.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0028] An embodiment of the present invention will be described
with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7. A harness 1 shown in FIG. 1 is
equipment the operator wears in order to support a power tool such
as brush cutter, and includes a back plate 2, shoulder strap pads
3, 3, a waist pad 4, shoulder strap belts 5, 5, first belt length
adjusters 6, 6, a buckle 7, a side pad 8, a support member 9, and a
hanging ring 10.
[0029] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, when the operator wears the
harness 1, the back plate 2 is placed on the back of the operator.
The back plate 2 is a flexible plate-like member extending in the
vertical direction and made of a synthetic resin. The back plate 2
has a pair of narrow portions 12 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) protruding
upward from the left and right upper ends of the back plate 2 and
having a smaller lateral dimension than a lower part of the back
plate 2. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a hole 13 that allows the
operator to carry the back plate 2 in his/her hand is formed in an
upper part of the back plate 2. The size of the hole 13 is large
enough for the operator to insert his/her finger or fingers
therein. In the vertical direction of the harness 1 (the vertical
direction in FIG. 1), the hole 13 is located above a position P1
(see FIG. 1) where the shoulder strap pads 3, 3 are fixed to the
harness 1. The operator can carry the harness 1 with the hand by
holding the back plate 2 with the finger or fingers inserted in the
hole 13.
[0030] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, when the operator wears the
harness 1, the shoulder strap pads 3, 3 contact the shoulders of
the operator. Upper parts of the shoulder strap pads 3, 3 are fixed
at different positions to the inner surface of the back plate 2. As
a result, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the shoulder strap pads 3, 3
are fixed to the back plate 2. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, each
shoulder strap pad 3 is formed in a belt shape, and contains both
polyethylene foam 15 and polyurethane foam 16 as cushioning members
inside a synthetic fabric cloth 14. In addition, in the present
embodiment, a strip of deodorizing sheet 17 containing a deodorant
such as activated carbon is interposed between the polyethylene
foam 15 and the polyurethane foam 16. The deodorizing sheet 17
provides the shoulder strap pads 3, 3 with a deodorizing function.
The deodorizing sheet 17 is an example of a deodorizing sheet of
the present invention.
[0031] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, when the operator wears the
harness 1, the waist pad 4 contacts the waist of the operator. The
waist pad 4 is fixed to the outer surface of the lower part of the
back plate 2. The waist pad 4 is formed in a belt shape extending
in the lateral direction, and like the shoulder strap pads 3, 3,
contains both polyethylene foam and polyurethane foam inside a
synthetic fabric cloth. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, the waist pad 4
has a horizontal portion 21 on the lower surface of its central
part in the lateral direction, and is shaped so as to be tilted
obliquely upward to the left and right from the horizontal portion
21 as a lowermost part. The lateral direction in FIGS. 1 and 6
corresponds to the lateral direction of the waist pad 4.
[0032] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, when the operator wears the
harness 1, the pair of shoulder strap belts 5, 5 respectively
located on the shoulder strap pads 3, 3 are placed over the
shoulders of the operator. A lower part of each shoulder strap belt
5 is sewn on the shoulder strap pad 3. An upper part of each
shoulder strap belt 5 is movably engaged with the first belt length
adjuster 6 that serves as an adjusting member, and the length of
each shoulder strap belt 5 can be adjusted by the first belt length
adjuster 6. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the first belt length
adjusters 6, 6 are attached to belts 22, 22 connected to the narrow
portions 12, 12 of the back plate 2, respectively.
[0033] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, second belt length adjusters 23,
23 are attached to the lower ends of the shoulder strap belts 5, 5,
respectively. A position adjusting belt 25 connected to a male
member 24 of the buckle 7 and capable of adjusting the position of
the male member 24 is movably engaged with one of the second belt
length adjusters 23, 23. A first plate 26 is fixed to the male
member 24. The first plate 26 is made of a synthetic resin, and has
a slit that allows a belt to be inserted and held therein. As shown
in FIGS. 1, 4, and 6, a third belt length adjuster 27 is attached
to the waist pad 4. A first plate position adjusting belt 28 can be
adjusted in length by the third belt length adjuster 27 while being
inserted through and held in the slit of the first plate 26.
[0034] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, when the operator wears the
harness 1, the side pad 8 can be brought into contact with the left
side or flank of the operator. In the following description, the
left side in FIG. 2 corresponds to the left-hand side of the
operator, the right side in FIG. 2 corresponds to the right-hand
side of the operator, the left side in FIG. 4 corresponds to the
right-hand side of the operator, and the right side in FIG. 4
corresponds to the left-hand side of the operator. As shown in FIG.
1, a part of a fastening belt 31 is sewn on the upper side of the
side pad 8, and the fastening belt 31 is inserted through and held
in a slit of a female member 32 of the buckle 7. As shown in FIGS.
1 and 2, one side of the fastening belt 31 is fixed to the back
plate 2, and the other side thereof is movably engaged with the
other second belt length adjuster 23. As the length of the
fastening belt 31 can be adjusted by the second belt length
adjuster 23, the side pad 8 can be moved in a direction toward the
left side or flank of the operator.
[0035] A second plate 33 similar to the first plate 26 (see FIG. 1)
is fixed to the female member 32 (see FIG. 1). Moreover, a second
plate position adjusting belt 34 (see FIGS. 1 and 4) can be
adjusted in length by a forth belt length adjuster 35 (see FIG. 1)
attached to the waist pad 4, while being inserted through and held
in a slit of the second plate 33.
[0036] As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, the support member 9 is a
plate-like member made of a synthetic resin and extending in the
vertical direction. The support member 9 is used to engage a brush
cutter 36 (see FIG. 4) on the right side of the operator. This
support member 9 includes an engaging metal fitting 37 that engages
with a hook (not shown) of the brush cutter 36, and a stopper 38
that retains the hook engaged with the engaging metal fitting 37. A
support member position adjusting belt 39 is inserted through and
held in a slit of the support member 9, one side of the support
member position adjusting belt 39 is attached to the back plate 2
(see FIG. 2), and the other side thereof is movably engaged with a
fifth belt length adjuster 42 (see FIG. 4) attached to a belt 41
connected to the male member 24. The right side of the operator is
an example of the other lateral side of the operator of the present
invention.
[0037] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a support belt 45, which supports
the waist pad 4 on the left side of the operator, is attached to
the back plate 2. An upper part of the support belt 45 is movably
engaged with a sixth belt length adjuster 47 attached to a belt 46
connected to the back plate 2. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a lower
part of the support belt 45 is sewn on the left side of the waist
pad 4 with respect to a central part in the lateral direction of
the waist pad 4, so as to form a loop portion 48 on the waist pad
4. A portion of the support belt 45 in the vertical direction is
folded along the centerline thereof in the lateral direction so
that both lateral ends face each other, and these lateral ends are
sewn together to form a folded portion (a folded portion 49). As
shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, the support belt 45 is thus thinned in the
folded portion 49, which facilitates movement of the support belt
45.
[0038] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the hanging ring 10 made of a
metal is attached to the loop portion 48. As shown in FIG. 2, when
the operator wears the harness 1, the hanging ring 10 is located on
the left side of the operator. The hanging ring 10 is capable of
hanging an object thereon. For example, if a karabiner is attached
to a holder of a can containing fuel (not shown) and is hung from
the hanging ring 10, the operator can easily carry around the can
containing fuel. The hanging ring 10 is an example of a hanging
portion of the present invention, and the left side of the operator
is an example of one lateral side of the operator of the present
invention.
[0039] An example in which the operator wears the harness 1 to
perform a grass cutting operation will be described below. In the
following description, the left side in FIG. 1 corresponds to the
left side of the harness 1, and the right side in FIG. 1
corresponds to the right side of the harness 1. The operator
inserts his/her left arm between the left shoulder strap pad 3 and
the side pad 8 and inserts his/her right arm between the right
shoulder strap pad 3 and the waist pad 4 in order to bring the
shoulder strap pads 3, 3 into contact with his/her both shoulders
from behind with the back plate 2 in FIG. 1 being placed on his/her
back. Then, while placing the waist pad 4 around his/her waist from
behind, the operator inserts the male member 24 of the buckle 7
into the female member 32 thereof on the front side of the operator
to couple the male member 24 and the female member 32. Thus, the
plates 26, 33 contact the front side of the operator, as shown in
FIG. 4. In the state shown in FIG. 4, the shoulder strap pads 3, 3
extend diagonally downward, and can be connected together on the
front side of the operator by using the buckle 7 and the belts 25,
31. As shown in the figure, the support member 9 is connected, by
the support member position adjusting belt 39, to the buckle 7 that
serves as a joint between the shoulder strap pads 3, 3.
[0040] Moreover, in the state shown in FIG. 4, the shoulder strap
pads 3, 3 can be coupled to the waist pad 4 at one position on the
front side of the operator by using the buckle 7, the belts 25, 31,
and the plate position adjusting belts 28, 34. As can be seen from
FIG. 3, in the vertical direction of the harness 1, the waist pad 4
is located below a position P where the shoulder strap pads 3, 3
are coupled to the waist pad 4. This allows the waist pad 4 to be
kept tilted obliquely upward toward the front side of the operator
while being in close contact with the waist of the operator as
shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Thus, the waist pad 4 is less likely to
slide down the operator's waist even if a force is applied to the
support member 9 during the grass cutting operation using the brush
cutter 36. As shown in FIG. 2, the horizontal portion 21 of the
waist pad 3 makes it easier for the lowermost part of the waist pad
4 to closely contact the waist of the operator. In addition, in the
waist pad 4 of the present embodiment, the horizontal portion 21 as
the lowermost part is provided in the central part in the lateral
direction of the waist pad 4. This makes it easier for the central
part of the waist pad 4 to closely contact the waist of the
operator. The buckle 7, the belts 25, 31, and the plate position
adjusting belts 28, 34 are an example of an attaching and detaching
member of the present invention.
[0041] In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the fastening
belt 31 of the side pad 8 is movably engaged with the second belt
length adjuster 23 attached to the shoulder strap belt 5 of the
left shoulder strap pad 3. Thus, pulling the fastening belt 31
fastens the left shoulder strap pad 3 in a direction toward the
left shoulder of the operator, and moves the side pad 8 in a
direction in which the side pad 8 fits tightly on the left side or
flank of the operator. The left shoulder strap pad 3 is an example
of at least one of the pair of shoulder strap pads of the present
invention, and the left shoulder of the operator is an example of
at least one of the shoulders of the present invention.
[0042] The operator pulls the shoulder strap belts 5, 5 out from
the first belt length adjusters 6, 6 (see FIGS. 3 and 4) attached
to the narrow portions 12, 12 of the back plate 2 via the belts 22,
22, so as to pull the narrow portions 12, 12 toward his/her back.
In this manner, the operator can adjust the position of the back
plate 2 toward his/her back. In particular, since the narrow
portions 12, 12 have a lower second moment of area than the lower
part of the back plate 2, the upper part of the back plate 2 where
the narrow portions 12, 12 are provided is more easily bent and
pulled toward the operator's back than the lower part of the back
plate 2. Moreover, since the hole 13 is formed in the back plate 2,
the back plate 2 is less rigid in the portion located above the
position P1 (see FIG. 1) than in the portion located below the
position P1. Accordingly, in the back plate 2, the portion located
above the position P1 is more easily bent than the portion located
below the position P1. Based on the above, as shown in FIG. 3, the
operator can bend the back plate 2 along his/her back so as to
closely contact his/her back when wearing the harness 1. The
shoulder strap belts 5, 5 and the belts 22, 22 are an example of a
belt of the present invention.
[0043] After wearing the harness 1 in the manner described above,
the operator engages the hook of the brush cutter 36 (see FIG. 4)
with the engaging metal fitting 37 (see FIG. 4) of the support
member 9. Thus, the weight of the brush cutter 36 is carried by the
operator via the harness 1. At this time, since the back plate 2 is
in close contact with the operator's back, the weight of the brush
cutter 36 can be distributed to the entire back plate 2. Moreover,
since the shoulder strap pads 3, 3 are coupled to the waist pad 4
at one position on the front side of the operator, the weight of
the brush cutter 36 can be distributed to the shoulder strap pads
3, 3 and the waist pad 4 which are coupled together. Furthermore,
since the support member 9 is connected to the buckle 7 that serves
as a joint between the pair of shoulder strap pads 3, 3, the weight
of the brush cutter 36 can be distributed to both shoulders of the
operator which are in contact with the shoulder strap pads 3, 3.
The weight of the brush cutter 36 can also be distributed to the
side pad 8 contacting the left side or flank of the operator. The
burden on the body of the operator can be reduced in this
manner.
[0044] The operator stably supports the brush cutter 36 with the
harness 1 and moves the brush cutter 36 from side to side to cut
grass with a cutting blade. If the operator sweats during the grass
cutting operation, the sweat is absorbed by the shoulder strap pads
3, 3. The odor of the sweat can be removed by the deodorizing sheet
17 accommodated in the shoulder strap pads 3, 3. Accordingly, even
if the harness 1 is shared by a plurality of operators, the
operators can comfortably use the harness 1 without being bothered
by unpleasant odors resulting from the other operators' sweat.
[0045] As shown in FIG. 2, in the glass cutting operation using the
harness 1 of the present embodiment, the holder of the can
containing fuel, for example, can be hang from the hanging ring 10
via the karabiner on the left side of the operator, with the brush
cutter 36 being engaged with the support member 9 on the right side
of the operator. Since the waist pad 4 having the hanging ring 10
attached thereto is supported by the back plate 2 via the support
belt 45, the waist pad 4 can be prevented from sliding down the
waist of the operator due to the weight of the can containing fuel,
etc. which is hung from the hanging ring 10. The support belt 45 is
thinned at the folded portion 49 (see FIGS. 1 and 6), which
facilitates movement of the support belt 45. This can prevent the
weight of the can containing fuel, etc. from being intensively
imposed on a part of the support belt 45, and thus can prevent the
support belt 45 from being torn off from the waist pad 4.
Effects of Embodiment
[0046] In the harness 1 of the present embodiment, since the
shoulder strap pads 3, 3 have a deodorizing function, unpleasant
odors resulting from the operator's sweat absorbed by the shoulder
strap pads 3, 3 can be removed. This allows the operator to
comfortably use the harness without being bothered by odors.
[0047] Since the shoulder strap pads 3, 3, which are the portions
located close the operator's nose in the harness 1, has a
deodorizing function, emission of unpleasant odors from the
shoulder strap pads 3, 3 can be reduced, whereby an optimal
deodorizing function can be provided.
[0048] Moreover, the harness 1 can be easily provided with a
deodorizing function by merely using the deodorizing sheet 17.
[0049] Furthermore, since the deodorizing sheet 17 is easy to fold,
etc. and is easy to handle, the deodorizing sheet 17 can be easily
accommodated in the shoulder strap pads 3, 3.
[0050] The harness 1 of the present embodiment is structured so
that the back plate 2 is pulled toward the operator's back by
adjusting the lengths of the shoulder strap belts 5, 5 by using the
first belt length adjusters 6, 6. Thus, the back plate 2 can be
brought into close contact with the operator's back by using this
simple structure. As a result, the weight of the brush cutter 36 is
distributed to the back plate 2, whereby the burden on the operator
can be reduced.
[0051] Since the support member 9 is connected to the buckle 7 that
serves as a joint between the pair of shoulder strap pads 3, 3, the
weight of the brush cutter 36 can be distributed to both shoulders
of the operator via the shoulder strap pads 3, 3. Thus, the load is
not intensively applied to one of the shoulders of the operator,
and the burden on the operator's shoulders can be reduced.
[0052] Since the narrow portions 12, 12 provided in the upper part
of the back plate 2 have a lower second moment of area than the
lower part of the back plate 2, the upper part of the back plate 2
is more easily bent than the lower part of the back plate 2.
Accordingly, the upper part of the back plate 2 can be easily
pulled toward the operator's back by adjusting the lengths of the
shoulder strap belts 5, 5 by using the first belt length adjusters
6, 6.
[0053] Moreover, the back plate 2 is less rigid in the portion
located above the position P1 where the shoulder strap pads 3, 3
are fixed to the back plate 2 than in the portion located below the
position P1. Accordingly, in the back plate 2, the portion located
above the position P1 is more easily bent than the portion located
below the position P1. In addition, the operator can carry the
harness 1 in his/her hand by holding the back plate 2 with his/her
finger or fingers inserted into the hole 13 in the back plate 2. In
this manner, the hole 13 can be used to carry the harness 1.
[0054] In the harness 1 of the present embodiment, since the
shoulder strap pads 3, 3 are coupled to the waist pad 4 at one
position on the front side of the operator by using the buckle 7,
the belts 25, 31, and the plate position adjusting belts 28, 34,
the weight of the brush cutter 36 can be distributed to the
shoulder strap pads 3, 3 and the waist pad 4 which are coupled
together. As a result, the burden on the operator can be reduced.
Moreover, the shoulder strap pads 3, 3 and the waist pad 4 can be
attached and detached at one position on the front side of the
operator by inserting the male member 24 of the buckle 7 into the
female member 32 thereof, and detaching the male member 24 from the
female member 32. This facilitates the operation of attaching and
detaching the shoulder strap pads 3, 3 and the waist pad 4. Thus,
the operator can easily wear and take off the harness 1.
[0055] When the shoulder strap pads 3, 3 are coupled to the waist
pad 4 via the buckle 7, the belts 25, 31, and the plate position
adjusting belts 28, 34, the waist pad 4 can be kept tilted
obliquely upward toward the front side of the operator while being
in close contact with the operator's waist. Thus, the waist pad 4
is less likely to slide down the operator's waist.
[0056] Moreover, since the horizontal portion 21 is provided in the
lowermost part of the waist pad 4, this horizontal portion 21 makes
it easier for the lowermost part of the waist pad 4 to closely
contact the operator's waist when the operator wears the harness 1.
In addition, the waist pad 4 can be placed in a stable attitude on
the ground with the horizontal portion 21 being in contact with the
ground. When the waist pad 4 is placed on the ground, dirt etc.
adheres only to the horizontal portion 21, and does not adhere to
the entire lower surface of the waist pad 4. Thus, the lower
surface of the waist pad 4 can be prevented from entirely getting
dirty.
[0057] Moreover, since the horizontal portion 21 serving as the
lowermost part is provided on the lower surface of the central part
in the lateral direction of the waist pad 4, the state in which the
central part of the waist pad 4 serving as the lowermost part can
easily closely contact the operator's waist can be created when the
operator wears the harness 1.
[0058] In addition, when the operator wears the harness 1, the
weight of the brush cutter 36 is also distributed to the side pad
8, whereby the burden on the operator can further be reduced.
[0059] Moreover, the left shoulder strap pad 3 on the operator can
be fastened in a direction toward the left shoulder of the operator
by pulling the fastening belt 31 to adjust the length of the belt
31. Thus, the operation of fastening the left shoulder strap pad 3
in the direction toward the left shoulder can be performed
simultaneously with the operation of fastening the side pad 8 on
the left side or flank of the operator. In addition, the weight of
the brush cutter 36 can be distributed to the left shoulder strap
pad 3 and the side pad 8.
[0060] In the harness 1 of the present embodiment, an object such
as a can containing fuel can be easily carried by merely hanging
the object from the hanging ring 10 of the waist pad 4.
[0061] The operator can hang the object from the hanging ring 10
located on the left side of the operator, with the brush cutter 36
being engaged with the support member 9 on the right side of the
operator. Thus, the object can be carried without hindering the
grass cutting operation using the brush cutter 36.
[0062] The waist pad 4 is supported by the back plate 2 via the
support belt 45, and the waist pad 4 can be prevented from sliding
down the operator's waist due to the weight of the object hung from
the hanging ring 10.
[0063] Moreover, the support belt 45 is thinned in the folded
portion 49, which facilitates movement of the support belt 45. This
can prevent the weight of the object from being intensively imposed
on a part of the support belt 45, and thus can prevent the support
belt 45 from being torn off from the waist pad 4.
[0064] The present invention is not limited to the above
embodiment, and the configuration can be partially changed as
appropriate without departing from the scope of the invention. For
example, the deodorizing sheet 17 can be accommodated not only in
the shoulder strap pads 3, 3 but also in the waist pad 4 and the
side pad 8. Instead of the deodorizing sheet 17, a fragrant sheet,
e.g., impregnated with a fragrant component may be accommodated in
the shoulder strap pads, so as to perform a deodorizing function by
the fragrance emitted from the shoulder strap pads. Instead of the
deodorizing sheet or the fragrance sheet, granular deodorant or
fragrance can be accommodated in the shoulder strap pads.
[0065] Unlike the above embodiment, the horizontal portion may be
provided on the lower surface of the waist pad 4 at a position
shifted to the left or right from the central part in the lateral
direction of the waist pad 4. Unlike the above embodiment, the
waist pad 4 may be shaped such that the lower surface of the waist
pad 4 is tilted obliquely upward to the left and right from the
lower surface of the central part with the lower surface of the
central part forming an apex. In the above embodiment, the harness
is provided with the side pad that contacts the left side or flank
of the operator. However, the harness may be provided with a side
pad that contacts the right side or flank of the operator, or may
be provided with a plurality of side pads that contact the left and
right sides or flanks of the operator. The above embodiment is
described with respect to an example in which a part of the
fastening belt 31 is sewn on the upper side of the side pad 8.
However, a fastening belt may be inserted through and held in the
side pad 8, and the side pad 8 may be brought into contact with the
left side or flank of the operator as the length of the fastening
belt is adjusted. In this case, unlike the example in which a part
of the fastening belt 31 is sewn on the upper side of the side pad
8, the fastening belt can be inserted into and removed from the
side pad 8 while being engaged therewith. This can reduce a force
pulling the fastening belt to adjust the length of the fastening
belt.
[0066] Unlike the above embodiment, for example, a hook-and-loop
fastener, a snap button, etc. may be attached to the waist pad 4
instead of the hanging ring 10, and a hook-and-loop fastener on an
object may be pressed against the hook-and-loop fastener on the
waist pad 4 so as to be bonded together, or a snap button on the
object may be attached to the snap button on the waist pad 4.
[0067] It is explicitly stated that all features disclosed in the
description and/or the claims are intended to be disclosed
separately and independently from each other for the purpose of
original disclosure as well as for the purpose of restricting the
claimed invention independent of the composition of the features in
the embodiments and/or the claims. It is explicitly stated that all
value ranges or indications of groups of entities disclose every
possible intermediate value or intermediate entity for the purpose
of original disclosure as well as for the purpose of restricting
the claimed invention, in particular as limits of value ranges.
* * * * *