Ejection seat restraint/parachute harness

Claim 2

An ejection seat restraint/parachute harness, comprising: continuous strap means for providing a continuous load path beginning at a side front torso location and running diagonally up and across the back, down the front, across and under the buttocks, up the front, and diagonally down and across the back to an opposite side front torso location; chest strap means for preventing a wearer's shoulders from slipping out of the harness; thigh strap and lap belt means, extending diagonally upwardly and laterally outwardly across the front of torso location and directly laterally across the front of the lower torso below the chest of the wearer, for preventing the pelvis of the wearer from rotating and slipping out of position; said thigh strap and lap belt means being fixedly attached to said continuous strap means at each of said side front torso locations when the harness is in use; and means for anchoring opposite sides of the thigh strap and lap belt means to an ejection seat, said means for anchoring engaging the thigh strap and lap belt means at said side front torso locations.

Claim 3

A harness as described in claim 1, in which the chest strap means completely encircles the chest.

Claim 4

A harness as described in claim 2, which further includes a fitting at each of two opposite side front locations on the continuous strap means; and in which the chest strap means includes a back portion extending around the back of the wearer and attached directly to each of said fittings, and a separate front portion extending around the front of the wearer and attached directly to each of said fittings.

Claim 5

A harness as described in claim 3, in which the back portion of the chest strap means includes means for adjusting the chest strap means to the size of the wearer.

Claim 6

A harness as described in claim 3, in which the front portion of the chest strap means includes a latch fitting for releasably latching the chest strap means around the chest of the wearer.

Claim 7

A harness as described in claim 5, in which the back portion of the chest strap means includes means for adjusting the chest strap means to the size of the wearer.

Claim 8

A harness as described in claim 2, which further includes a fitting at each of said side front torso locations on the continuous strap means, said fitting attaching a front portion of the continuous strap means to a back portion of the continuous strap means; and in which the thigh strap and lap belt means extends through each of said fittings, said means for anchoring engages said fittings, and each said fitting has means for fixedly engaging the thigh strap and lap belt means.

Claim 9

A harness as described in claim 1, which further includes a fitting at each of said side front torso locations on the continuous strap means, said fitting attaching a front portion of the continuous srap means to a back portion of the continuous strap means; and in which the thigh strap and lap belt means extends through each of said fittings, said means for anchoring engages said fittings, and each said fitting has means for fixedly engaging the thigh strap and lap belt means.

Claim 10

A harness as described in claim 8, which further comprises adjusting means at a center lower torso location for adjusting the thigh strap and lap belt means to the size of the wearer; and in which the thigh strap and lap belt means extend continuously through each said fitting, and each said fitting includes tightening means for adjusting the thigh strap and lap belt means to the size of the wearer.

Claim 11

A harness as described in claim 9, in which the tightening means includes a shaft around which the thigh strap and lap belt means extends, and cam lock means for releasably locking the thigh strap and lap belt means against movement in response to a pulling force on the thigh strap and lap belt means in either direction relative to the shaft.

Claim 12

An ejection seat restraint/parachute harness, comprising: continuous strap means for providing a continuous load path beginning on one side of the waist of a wearer and running diagonally up and across the back, down the front, across and under the buttocks, up the front, and diagonally down and across the back to the opposite side of the waist; chest strap means for preventing the wearer's shoulders from slipping out of the harness, said chest strap means completely encircling the chest; thigh strap and lap belt means, extending across a front portion of each thigh and the front of the lower torso below the chest of a wearer, for preventing the pelvis of the wearer from rotating and slipping out of position; and attaching means for attaching the chest strap means to the continuous strap means at each of two opposite side front locations and at a back location where the continuous strap means crosses itself to form an X-shaped configuration.

Claim 13

An ejection seat restraint/parachute harness, comprising: continuous strap means for providing a continuous load path beginning on one side of the waist of a wearer and running diagonally up and across the back, down the front, across and under the buttocks, up the front, and diagonally down and across the back to the opposite side of the waist; chest strap means for preventing the wearer's shoulders from slipping out of the harness, said chest strap means completely encircling the chest; thigh strap and lap belt means, extending across a front portion of each thigh and the front of the lower torso below the chest of a wearer, for preventing the pelvis of the wearer from rotating and slipping out of position; and attaching means for attaching the chest strap means to the continuous strap means at each of two opposite side front locations and at a back location where the continuous strap means crosses itself to form an X-shaped configuration.

Claim 14

An ejection seat restraint/parachute harness, comprising: continuous strap means for providing a continuous load path beginning on one side of the waist of a wearer and running diagonally up and across the back, down the front, across and under the buttocks, up the front, and diagonally down and across the back to the opposite side of the waist; chest strap means for preventing the wearer's shoulders from slipping out of the harness, said chest strap means completely encircling the chest; thigh strap and lap belt means for preventing the pelvis of the wearer from rotating and slipping out of position; and attaching means for attaching the chest strap means to the continuous strap means at each of two opposite side front locations and at a back location where the continuous strap means crosses itself to form an X-shaped configuration; in which the attaching means includes a fitting at each of said side front locations; and the chest strap means includes a back portion extending around the back of the wearer and attached to each of said fittings, and a front portion formed by an end portion of each of two haul back straps; said haul back straps extending down opposite side front portions of the continuous strap means to said fittings, slidingly through said fittings, across the chest, and to connector means for connecting the haul back straps to an ejection seat.

Claim 15

An ejection seat restraint/parachute harness, comprising: continuous strap means for providing a continuous load path beginning on one side of the waist of a wearer and running diagonally up and across the back, down the front, across and under the buttocks, up the front, and diagonally down and across the back to the opposite side of the waist; chest strap means for preventing the wearer's shoulders from slipping out of the harness, said chest strap means completely encircling the chest; thigh strap and lap belt means for preventing the pelvis of the wearer from rotating and slipping out of position; and attaching means for attaching the chest strap means to the continuous strap means at each of two opposite side front locations and at a back location where the continuous strap means crosses itself to form an X-shaped configuration; in which the attaching means includes a fitting at each of said side front locations; and the chest strap means includes a back portion extending around the back of the wearer and attached to each of said fittings, and a front portion formed by an end portion of each of two haul back straps; said haul back straps extending down opposite side front portions of the continuous strap means to said fittings, slidingly through said fittings, across the chest, and to connector means for connecting the haul back straps to an ejection seat.

Claim 16

An ejection seat restraint/parachute harness, comprising: continuous strap means for providing a continuous load path beginning on one side of the waist of a wearer and running diagonally up and across the back, down the front, across and under the buttocks, up the front, and diagonally down and across the back to the opposite side of the waist; chest strap means for preventing the wearer's shoulders from slipping out of the harness, said chest strap means completely encircling the chest; thigh strap and lap belt means for preventing the pelvis of the wearer from rotating and slipping out of position; and a fitting at each of two opposite side front locations on the continuous strap means; said chest strap means including a back portion extending around the back of the wearer and attached to each of said fittings, and a front portion formed by an end portion of each of two haul back straps; and said haul back straps extending down opposite side front portions of the continuous strap means to said fittings, slidingly through said fittings, across the chest, and to connector means for connecting the haul back straps to an ejection seat.

Claim 17

An ejection seat restraint/parachute harness, comprising: continuous strap means for providing a continuous load path beginning on one side of the waist of a wearer and running diagonally up and across the back, down the front, across and under the buttocks, up the front, and diagonally down and across the back to the opposite side of the waist; chest strap means for preventing the wearer's shoulders from slipping out of the harness, said chest strap means completely encircling the chest; thigh strap and lap belt means for preventing the pelvis of the wearer from rotating and slipping out of position; and a fitting at each of two opposite side front locations on the continuous strap means; said chest strap means including a back portion extending around the back of the wearer and attached to each of said fittings, and a front portion formed by an end portion of each of two haul back straps; and said haul back straps extending down opposite side front portions of the continuous strap means to said fittings, slidingly through said fittings, across the chest, and to connector means for connecting the haul back straps to an ejection seat.

Claim 18

A harness as described in claim 13 in which the back portion of the chest strap includes means for adjusting the chest strap means to the size of the wearer.

Claim 19

An ejection seat restraint/parachute harness, comprising: continuous strap means for providing a continuous load path beginning on one side of the waist of a wearer and running diagonally up and across the back, down the front, across and under the buttocks, up the front, and diagonally down and across the back to the opposite side of the waist; chest strap means for preventing the wearer's shoulders from slipping out of the harness, said chest strap means completely encircling the chest; thigh strap and lap belt means, extending across a front portion of each thigh and the front of the lower torso below the chest of a wearer, for preventing the pelvis of the wearer from rotating and slipping out of position; and a fitting at each of two opposite side front locations on the continuous strap means; in which the chest strap means includes a back portion extending around the back of the wearer and attached to each of said fittings, and a front portion extending around the front of the wearer and attached to each of said fittings; and in which the back portion of the chest strap means is attached to the continuous strap means at a location where the continuous strap means crosses itself to form an X-shaped configuration.

Claim 20

An ejection seat restraint/parachute harness, comprising: continuous strap means for providing a continuous load path beginning on one side of the waist of a wearer and running diagonally up and across the back, down the front, across and under the buttocks, up the front, and diagonally down and across the back to the opposite side of the waist; chest strap means for preventing the wearer's shoulders from slipping out of the harness, said chest strap means completely encircling the chest; thigh strap and lap belt means, extending across a front portion of each thigh and the front of the lower torso below the chest of a wearer, for preventing the pelvis of the wearer from rotating and slipping out of position; and a fitting at each of two opposite side front locations on the continuous strap means; in which the chest strap means includes a back portion extending around the back of the wearer and attached to each of said fittings, and a front portion extending around the front of the wearer and attached to each of said fittings; and in which the back portion of the chest strap means is attached to the continuous strap means at a location where the continuous strap means crosses itself to form an X-shaped configuration.

Claim 21

A harness as described in claim 15, in which the chest strap means includes means for adjusting it to the size of the wearer.

Claim 22

An ejection seat restraint/parachute harness, comprising: continuous strap means for providing a continuous load path beginning on one side of the waist of a wearer and running diagonally up and across the back, down the front, across and under the buttocks, up the front, and diagonally down and across the back to the opposite side of the waist; chest strap means for preventing the wearer's shoulders from slipping out of the harness, said chest strap means completely encircling the chest; thigh strap and lap belt means for preventing the pelvis of the wearer from rotating and slipping out of position; and a fitting at each of two opposite side front locations on the continuous strap means; said chest strap means including a back portion extending around the back of the wearer and attached to each of said fittings, and a front portion extending around the front of the wearer and attached to each of said fittings; and each said fitting including portions for slidingly engaging a haul back strap that extends down a side front portion of the continuous strap means to the fitting, through the fitting, and laterally outwardly to connector means for connecting the haul back strap to an ejection seat.

Claim 23

An ejection seat restraint/parachute harness, comprising: continuous strap means for providing a continuous load path beginning on one side of the waist of a wearer and running diagonally up and across the back, down the front, across and under the buttocks, up the front, and diagonally down and across the back to the opposite side of the waist; chest strap means for preventing the wearer's shoulders from slipping out of the harness, said chest strap means completely encircling the chest; thigh strap and lap belt means for preventing the pelvis of the wearer from rotating and slipping out of position; and a fitting at each of two opposite side front locations on the continuous strap means; said chest strap means including a back portion extending around the back of the wearer and attached to each of said fittings, and a front portion extending around the front of the wearer and attached to each of said fittings; and each said fitting including portions for slidingly engaging a haul back strap that extends down a side front portion of the continuous strap means to the fitting, through the fitting, and laterally outwardly to connector means for connecting the haul back strap to an ejection seat.

Claim 24

A harness as described in claim 17, in which the back portion of the chest strap includes means for adjusting the chest strap means to the size of the wearer.

Claim 25

A harness as described in claim 17, in which the front portion of the chest strap means includes a latch fitting for releasably latching the chest strap means around the chest of the wearer.

Claim 26

A harness as described in claim 19, in which the chest strap means includes means for adjusting it to the size of the wearer.

Claim 27

An ejection seat restraint/parachute harness, comprising: front strap means; back strap means; thigh strap and lap belt means having a thigh portion extending across a front portion of each thigh diagonally upwardly and laterally outwardly from an inner thigh area to a side front torso location on the front strap means, and a lap portion extending between said side front torso locations directly laterally across the front of the lower torso below the chest, for preventing the pelvis of the wearer from rotating and slipping out of position; each of said thigh portion and said lap portion being fixedly attached to each of said side front torso locations when the harness is in use; and means for anchoring opposite sides of the thigh strap and lap belt means to an ejection seat; said means for anchoring engaging the thigh strap and lap belt means at said side front torso locations.

Claim 28

An ejection seat restraint/parachute harness, comprising: front strap means; back strap means; thigh strap and lap belt means having a thigh portion extending across a front portion of each thigh diagonally upwardly and laterally outwardly from an inner thigh area to a side front torso location on the front strap means, and a lap portion extending between said side front torso locations directly laterally across the front of the lower torso below the chest, for preventing the pelvis of the wearer from rotating and slipping out of position; each of said thigh portion and said lap portion being fixedly attached to each of said side front torso locations when the harness is in use; and means for anchoring opposite sides of the thigh strap and lap belt means to an ejection seat; said means for anchoring engaging the thigh strap and lap belt means at said side front torso locations.

Claim 29

A harness as described in claim 21, which further comprises a fitting at ech of said side front torso locations, and adjusting means at a center location on said lap portion for adjusting the thigh strap and lap belt means to the size of the wearer; and in which said lap portion is an integral continuation of said thigh portion, the thigh strap and lap belt means extends through each of said fittings, and each said fitting includes tightenting means for adjusting the thigh strap and lap belt means to the size of the wearer.

Claim 30

A harness as described in claim 22, in which the tightening means includes a shaft around which the thigh strap and lap belt means extends, and cam lock means for releasably locking the thigh strap and lap belt means against movement in response to a pulling force on the thigh strap and lap belt means in either direction relative to the shaft.

Claim 31

A harness as described in claim 21, in which the front strap means has an H-shaped configuration, and the back strap means has an X-shaped configuration; and which further comprises a chest strap completely encircling the chest of a wearer.

Claim 32

An ejection seat restraint/parachute harness, comprising: continuous strap means for providing a continuous load path beginning on one side of the waist of a wearer and running diagonally up and across the back, down the front, across and under the buttocks, up the front, and diagonally down and across the back to the opposite side of the waist; chest strap means completely encircling the chest for preventing the wearer's shoulders from slipping out of the harness; thigh strap and lap belt means for preventing the pelvis of the wearer from rotating and slipping out of position; and a fitting at each of two opposite side front locations on the continuous strap means; said chest strap means being attached to each of said fittings; and each said fitting including portions for slidingly engaging a haul back strap that extend down a side front portion of the continuous strap means to the fitting, through the fitting, and laterally to connector means for connecting the haul back strap to an ejection seat.

Claim 33

An ejection seat restraint/parachute harness, comprising: continuous strap means for providing a continuous load path beginning on one side of the waist of a wearer and running diagonally up and across the back, down the front, across and under the buttocks, up the front, and diagonally down and across the back to the opposite side of the waist; chest strap means completely encircling the chest for preventing the wearer's shoulders from slipping out of the harness; thigh strap and lap belt means for preventing the pelvis of the wearer from rotating and slipping out of position; and a fitting at each of two opposite side front locations on the continuous strap means; said chest strap means being attached to each of said fittings; and each said fitting including portions for slidingly engaging a haul back strap that extend down a side front portion of the continuous strap means to the fitting, through the fitting, and laterally to connector means for connecting the haul back strap to an ejection seat.

Claim 34

An ejection seat restraint/parachute harness, comprising: front strap means having opposite side front portions that extend down the front of a wearer; chest strap means for preventing the wearer's shoulders from slipping out of the harness; thigh strap and lap belt means for preventing the pelvis of the wearer from rotating and slipping out of position; and a fitting at ech of two opposite side front locations on said side front portions; said chest strap means being attached to each of said fittings; and each said fitting including portions for slidingly engaging a haul back strap that extends down the corresponding side front portion to the fitting, through the fitting, and laterally to connector means for connecting the haul back strap to an ejection seat.

Claim 35

An ejection seat restraint/parachute harness, comprising: front strap means having opposite side front portions that extend down the front of a wearer; chest strap means for preventing the wearer's shoulders from slipping out of the harness; thigh strap and lap belt means for preventing the pelvis of the wearer from rotating and slipping out of position; and a fitting at ech of two opposite side front locations on said side front portions; said chest strap means being attached to each of said fittings; and each said fitting including portions for slidingly engaging a haul back strap that extends down the corresponding side front portion to the fitting, through the fitting, and laterally to connector means for connecting the haul back strap to an ejection seat.