MXPA99002747A - Safety harness - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a safety harness (10) to be worn by a person. The safety harness (10) comprises a strap portion (20, 70, 80) for extending over a portion of the person's body to retain the person within the safety harness (10). The strap portion (20, 70, 80) is fabricated from a flexible material having an elastic extension in the range of approximately 3%to approximately 15%under a tensile load of approximately 10 pounds. The material of the strap portion (20, 70, 80) also has a tensile strength of at least approximately 5,000 pounds.

Description

SAFETY HARNESS DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a safety device and more particularly to a safety device to be used by a person to protect that person from damage in the event of a fall. Safety harnesses are commonly used as part of a fall protection system for people subjected to the potential of a fall from a height. In the workplace, full-body safety harnesses are generally used. These harnesses, which typically include shoulder straps, can be designed in many alternative ways, see for example U.S. Pat. Nos. 5, 531, 292, 529, 884, 5203, 829. Currently existing safety harnesses are generally made of flexible but relatively inelastic woven materials such as nylon and polyester. These materials are generally capable of an elastic extension of approximately 1% or less under a tensile load of approximately 4.5kg in fact. with a tensile load of approximately 54.5 kg, these materials generally have an elastic extension of about 2.5% or less. Although the resistance of these materials is adequate for the protection of falls, the harnesses made of these materials prevent the movement of a worker during the use of the ames. This limitation of movement often results in uncomfortable discomfort and rapid fatigue of the worker. The limited range of movement, discomfort and fatigue associated with current safety harnesses can result in worker safety lapses. Several attempts have been made to redesign the safety harnesses to provide greater comfort and range of movements that have had very little success. Therefore it is very desirable to develop safety harnesses that do not suffer from these disadvantages. In general, the present invention provides a safety device for use by a person. The safety harness consists of a band portion to extend over a portion of the person's body to hold the person within the safety harness. At least one portion or section of the band portion has an elastic extension of at least 3% under a tensile load of about 9 kg, and more preferably, with a tensile load of about 4.5 kg, facilitating the movement of the person within the a is security. Preferably at least a portion of the band portion is adapted to have an elastic extension in the range of about 3 to 20% under a tensile load of about 9 kg. and more preferably under a tensile load of about 4.5 kg. More preferably, the elastic extension is in the range of about 3 to 15% under such tensile loading. More preferably the elastic extension is in the range of about 7 to 11% under such tensile loading. Preferably, almost the entire strip portion or the entire strip portion is made of a material having an elastic extension within the aforementioned margins. As used herein, the elastic stretch percentage under a particular tensile load is calculated using the following formula: Length.xeßn < Jld, - Initial Length / Inner Length * 100% Throughout the range of elastic extension, the elastic materials used in the strip portions of the present invention preferably return to substantially their original length (not extended) within the range of elastic extension when Remove the tensile load. As used herein the term "non-elastic" generally refers to materials having an elastic extension of less than about 3% under a tensile load of about 4.5 pounds. The present inventors have discovered that the use of materials capable of an elastic extension of at least about 3% with a tensile load of about 4.5 to 9.0 kg in one or more of the safety harness support band portions is generally greatly reduced, if not eliminating the problems of limited movement and associated fatigue experienced with existing safety harnesses. Additionally the incorporation of those elastic materials into one or more support strip portions of the present invention helps to create a narrow fit without restricting movement. Contrary to current safety harnesses, or there is a need for frequent readjustment of the safety harness of the present invention. In addition, the tight fit of the safety harnesses of the present invention substantially prevents the sections of the band portion from hanging from the user's body, thus reducing the risk of that hanging portion becoming entangled in some object or machinery of the work area. . In general, an extension (whether elastic or not) of a band portion greater than about 20% is undesirable due to the increased risk that the user may leave the band. These relatively large extensions are preferably avoided under normal working conditions and in situations of avoiding a fall when the tensile loads on the support bands can be relatively large. Preferably, therefore, the elastic support bands of the present invention do not undergo an elastic extension greater than 20% under these conditions. The support webs of the present invention preferably do not experience an extension greater than about 20% even under tensile loads of up to about 45.4 kg and more preferably with tensile loads of up to about 545 kg. In addition to presenting the above elastic characteristics, the elastic band portions of the present invention must be able to withstand the tensile forces experienced during common use and to prevent falls. Preferably the elastic band portions of the present invention have a final minimum tensile load of about 2270 kg. The final tensile load of 2270 kg is a common industrial standard. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a full-body safety ames consisting of a top portion for the torso having a shoulder portion of shoulder that extends over a person's respective shoulder. As described above, at least one section of the shoulder band exhibits an elastic extension of at least 3% with a tensile load of approximately 9 kg and more preferably with a tensile load of approximately 4.54 kg. Preferably at least one section of the shoulder band portion is adapted to have an elastic extension in the range of about 3 to 20% under a tensile load of about 9 kg and more preferably under a tensile load of about 4.54 kg. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 illustrates a rear view of a full body ames mode according to the present invention. Figure 2 illustrates a front view of a person using the safety a of Figure 1. Figure 3 illustrates a rear view of a person using the safety harness of Figure 1. Figure 4A illustrates a view in Figure 1. cross section of a common simple double weave suitable for use in the woven network used in the present invention. Figure 4B illustrates a composite band portion suitable for use in the present invention. Figure 5 illustrates a rear view of another embodiment of a full-body safety ames according to the present invention. Figure 6 illustrates a rear view of another embodiment of a full-body safety harness in accordance with the present invention. Referring to Figure 1, an embodiment of a full-body safety ames 10 according to the present invention is described below. The overall structural design of Figure 1 corresponds substantially to the 650 safety ames model distributed by Miller Equipment of Franklin, Pennsylvania. The safety harnesses 10 consist of an upper torso portion consisting of first and second bands for the shoulder 20 and 30 extending over a respective shoulder of the wearer and a chest band 40 (see Figure 2) to extend over a portion of the user's chest. As illustrated in Figure 3, a first end of each shoulder band 20 and 30 extends downwardly on the wearer's back for first and second longitudinal strips generally first and second 22 and 32 respectively. The longitudinal back bands 22 and 32 of the shoulder bands 29 and 30 intersect and connect to a typical D 50 ring known in the art. The ring D 50 consists of a harness connection portion 52 and an anchor portion 54. The portion The connection portion of the ames 52 allows the attachment of the ring D 40 to the safety ames 10 by means of rear longitudinal strips 22 and 32 The anchor portion 54 is adapted to be connected to a nylon rope, a chain, a network and another connector that can be used to anchor the person using the safety a 10. In the embodiment of Figure 1, after crossing and passing through the ring D 50, the shoulder bands 20 and 30 are connected by means of a generally latitudinal rear band 60. As illustrated in figure 3, the rear latitudinal band 60 passes generally latitudinally over a portion of the user's back and is preferably made of a relatively non-elastic material such as nylon and / or polyester. A second end of each shoulder band 20 and 30 extends downwardly on the front of the user as illustrated in Figure 2 to form generally longitudinal first and second front bands 24 and 34 respectively. A first chest band portion 42 is preferably attached to the front band 24 and the second chest band portion 44 is attached to the front band 34. Each of the first and second chest bands 42 and 44 have limb members. cooperating attachments 46 and 48 at their ends to allow attachment of the first and second chest bands 42 and 44 to form the chest band 40. As is known in the art, the first and second breast bands are preferably attached by of a buckle mechanism consisting of cooperating locking members 46 and 48. The first and second front bands 24 and 34 further extend downwardly and preferably include adjustment members 26 and 36 (eg, adjustable buckles) as known in FIG. technique for adjusting the setting of security ames 10 on the upper part of the user's torso. Extending downward as illustrated in Figure 1, the first and second front bands 24 and 34 converge and generally meet at the center to form a seat portion or subpelvic portion 70. As illustrated in Figures 2 and 3 , the first and second front bands 24 and 34 pass to the back of the user's user and the seat portion 70 passes under the user's seat. Bands for first and second legs 80 and 90 respectively joined and extending from the seat portion 70. Each of the first and second leg bands 80 and 90 pass around the upper leg of the user to be joined to the distal end of the leg. first and second longitudinal rear bands 22 and 32 respectively. The distal ends of each of the first and second leg bands 80 and 90 and the distal ends of each of the longitudinal rear bands 22 and 32 thus preferably comprise cooperating fastening means (82 and 92 and 28 and 38, respectively) such as adjustment buckles known in the art. The back bands 20 and 30 (including the longitudinal rear bands 22 and 32 and first and second front bands 24 and 34) and first and second leg bands 80 and 90 are preferably adapted to have an elastic extension in the range of about 3. % to approximately 15% in a tensile load of approximately 4.5 kg. More preferably, these bands are adapted to have an elastic extensions in the range of about 7% to 11% under a tensile load of about 4.54 kg. However, these band portions preferably have a minimum final tensile load of at least about 2270 kg. In the design of Figure 1, the bottom portion of the security ames 10 is made of a single integral length of elastic material. In this regard, the length of the elastic material as described above starts at the first end 94a of the leg band 90. The material then travels down through the fixing member 92 and then travels up to the seat portion 70. , thus forming the leg band 90. Upon reaching the seat portion 70, the material travels along the path identified by the left side of the seat portion 70, forming its back side. The material travels to the adjustment member 36 at that point is preferably wound around or through the adjustment member 36. The material then travels down (bending) over the lower portion of the longitudinal front band 34 and the left side of the portion of seat 70. The material then travels through the center of the seat portion 70 and upwards along the path defined by the left side of the seat portion 70. Upon reaching the adjustment member 26 the material is preferably rolled up around or through the adjusting member 26. After winding through the adjusting member 26, the material travels down (bending) under the lower portion of the longitudinal front band 24 and the right side of the seating portion 70. Before reaching the center of the seating portion 70, the material is separated from the path of the seat portion 70 to extend downwardly to form the leg band 80. The material is preferably wound through the fixing member 82 and terminated at the second end 94b. On these fold areas the material is preferably held together by means of, for example, several stitches (96a-96j). As is clear to those skilled in the art, the range of elastic extension of different safety portions of the harnesses according to the present invention can be selected to be different to provide a sufficient range of motion and sufficient comfort while maintaining adequate safety. In the design of figure 1, for example, the chest strap 40 and the generally longitudinal rear band 60 can be made of a relatively non-elastic material such as polyester and / or nylon. It is not essential for the ease of movement of the user of security ames 10 to manufacture those portions of elastic material. In addition the manufacture of those portions so that they are not elastic can provide additional guards to prevent the user from leaving the ames without wishing it when for example the shoulder bands 20 and 30 are adapted to have an elastic extension in the upper range specified herein. In order to provide a unique combination of elastic and tensile load characteristics of the band portions of the safety harnesses according to the present invention, an elastic material and at least one non-elastic high strength material is preferably used, inter alia. All band portions can be made from that composite material or only a portion or section of the band portion can be made from that composite material. For example, a section of that elastic material may be sewn into a band portion otherwise made of conventional non-elastic materials such as nylon and / or polyester. If a portion of an elastic material is stitched into a band portion, the stitches must be adequate to meet the final load criteria established for the band portions of the present invention. In one embodiment the elastic portions or sections of the security ames of the present invention (ie, those portions or sections having an elastic extension of at least about 3%) preferably consist of at least one section of composite material such as a material of woven network consisting of a mesh of one or more relatively non-elastic and strong materials (that is, having a high final tensile load) with one or more materials having lower final tensile loads, but greater elasticity. For example, in one embodiment of the present invention, 2434 mesh is used distributed by Murdoch Webbing Company, Inc. of Central Falls, Rhode Island and has a width of 4.5 cm. In one embodiment, the mesh (a single double mesh) consisting of approximately 71% nylon, approximately 16% polyester and approximately 13% spandex (71/16/13). Another 2434 mesh material from Murdoch Webbing Company, Inc. consisting of a 62/23/15 mesh. A 2436 mesh material from Murdoch Webbing Company, Inc. consists of a mesh 78/9/13. These composite materials have a minimum final tensile load suitable for use in a full-body safety harness (approximately 2724kg) with most preferably having a range of 7 to 11% elastic extension under tensile loads of approximately 4.5 to 9 kg. In this embodiment, a substantial elasticity over the desired range is provided by spandex elastomeric yarn but extension beyond the desired range of elastic extension is prevented by high tensile strength and relatively non-elastic yarns such as nylon and / or nylon yarns. polyester. Figure 4A illustrates in cross-section an example of a simple double weave composed with binders 2 above and 2 below as the meshes 2434 and 2436 of Murdoch Webbing Company are used, Inc. In this illustration 2a-2j represent filler yarn or barbs that traverse the width of the mesh. Warp yarns or base yarns 4 are woven around filling yarns 2a-2j in the longitudinal direction. The meshes of binding yarns 6 from the top ~ or ~~ face 8 of the mesh to the back or back 9 of the fabric. The binding threads 6 together to the front part 8 and the rear 9 to each other. In the existing mesh materials used in safety harnesses, the base yarns 4 and the binding yarns 6 are continuous filament yarns of nylon and / or polyester. In the fabric used for the band portions of the present invention, however, the binder yarns 6 are elastic yarns such as spandex. These elastic threads still join the face 8 and the back 9 together, but allow stretching or elastic extension in the fabric. The amount of stretching is controlled by the number of the filling yarns or tines 2a-2j that are inserted per unit length (eg per centimeter). The more prongs are provided per centimeter the smaller will be the elastic extension. The less barbs are provided per centimeter the greater the elastic extension,. The final tensile load and the upper limit of the elastic extension is governed by the base yarns 4 which are preferably selected to be non-elastic high strength filament yarns such as nylon or polyester. A comparison of the stretch of the elastic fabric suitable for use in the present invention (as illustrated in Figure 4A) and where the standard nylon fabric materials (distributed by Southwest Weaving of Greenville, South Carolina) is shown in the tables 1 and 2 that follow for different tensile loads. In the experiments shown in tables 1 and 2, the lengths of the material being studied are subjected to a given tensile load by means of a Tiniue Olsen tensile calibrator. Two points separated by 30.5 cm were marked on each sample before the extension. For each indicated tensile load, the distance between the two points was measured and the percentage of extension was calculated as described above.

TABLE 1 Elastic fabric Fabric 1010RN Fabric 998MN 2434 Tenail load Diataaccia (in! Percentage of Diactance (cm) percentage of diastance (n) Percentage (ka> * x tana ion extension exteneidi 0 30.5 0 30.5 0 30.5 0 9 32.4 6.25 30.63 0.53 30.79 1.04 18 32.70 7.29 30.79 1.04 30.95 1.56 27 32.86 7.81 30.95 1.56 31.11 2.08 36 33.02 8.33 31.11 2.08 31.11 2.08 45 33.18 8.85 31.11 2.08 31.27 2.6 TABLE 2 Elastic fabric Fabric 1010RN Fabric 998MN 2434 Tenail load Distance (in) Percentage of Diastance (in) percentage of distance ncia (in) Per sings < kg) extension extension ext an »i6 227 34.95 14:58 31.43 7.29 30, .5 0 454 36.83 18.66 32.38 12.5 30, .79 1, .04 681 38.10 25 33.33 13.5 30, .95 1, .56 908 38.73 27.08 33.95 16.67 31. .11 2, .08 1135 39.37 29.17 34.29 17.7 31, .11 2, .08 1362 40.00 31.25 34.92 18.7 31, .27 2, .6 1589 40.64 33.33 35.24 19.7 1816 40.79 33.85 35.56 20.8 The ease with which the elastic fabric of the present invention can be extended is further demonstrated by the data in Table 3 below. In the experiments presented in Table 33, a length of 254 cm of material was attached to a 22.7 kg tensile calibrator. The sample was extended to the percentage extensions indicated in Table 3 and the corresponding forces were recorded. TABLE 3 Percentage extension Strength (kg) 1 1.31 2 1.63 3 1.86 4 2: 13 5 2.31 6 2.58 7 2.99 8 3.45 9 4.26 10 6.76 Figure 4B illustrates another embodiment a composite band portion 100 for use in the present invention. The band portion 1000 consists of a high-strength non-elastic band 102 (for example standard nylon and / or polyester band mesh) and an elastic band 104 (which may have a low tear strength) attached to the interior of the band 102 by means of stitches 106a and 106b. Using the example of a shoulder band portion the band portion 100 is thrown over the wearer's shoulder such that the elastic band 104 preferably forms a comfortable fit with the shoulder and the high-resistance shoe permits elastic extension or " game "in the range of 3 to 20% in band 102 as described above. The user can thus move relatively easily. The high strength web portion 102 (which may be of a standard nylon / polyester mesh material), however limits the elastic extension of the band portion 102 to approximately 20% and provides the tensile strength required in a constrained condition. a fall. In certain cases there is the problem that a loose strap of the harness is attached to several objects, the elastic re of FIG. 4A may be preferable to the embodiment of FIG. 4B since the embodiment of FIG. 4B requires that the band of FIG. High resistance 102 this in a loose fit. The buckles used in the safety harnesses of the present invention can be made of forged steel with a minimum final tensile load of about 1816 kg. These buckles are preferably plated with cadmium or zinc and meet the requirements of the ASTM test for spraying for fifty hours with salt. The D-rings that are used in the safety harnesses of the present invention are preferably steel rings with a minimum tensile strength of about 2270 kg. These rings are preferably plated in cadmium or zinc and meet the requirements of the ASTM test for spraying for fifty hours with salt. The seam is preferably made with nylon thread such as VT-295E, type II, class sizes 415 and F. The seam is embossed with four to six stitches per inch with 415 gauge yarn and with six to eight stitches per inch with F. gauge thread. All seam ends are preferably reinforced with a minimum of two stitches. Full body harnesses in accordance with the present invention meet or exceed the requirements of all relative standards OSHA, CSA (Association of Canadian Standards) and ANSI. further, the benefits received from the incorporation of the elastic materials of the present invention into safety harnesses are not limited to certain designs of safety harnesses. Virtually any known safety harness can be readjusted or any new safety harness can be designed to include those elastic materials. Figures 5 and 6 for example show two alternatives to the design of the safety harnesses described in relation to the figures 3. Figure 5 illustrates a full body safety harness of similar design to that illustrated in figure 1. The harness of Safety 110 is similar in design to the Miller model 850 equipment. The safety harness 110 of Figure 5, however, includes a non-resilient seat of the rear portion of the band 170. The shoulder straps 120 and 130 include the Upper longitudinal front band portions 124a and 134a are preferably made of elastic mesh as described above. The first and second chest band portions 142 and 144 are preferably made of non-elastic materials such as nylon and / or polyester. The lower front band portions 124b and 134b are preferably made of elastic mesh. The non-elastic seat band portion 170 is preferably joined to the lower front band portions 124b and 134b by sewing. Safety harness 110 preferably includes a rear D-ring 150a and a non-elastic rear band 160. The safety belt 110 also includes an additional D-ring 150b and 150c for its positional adjustment as known in the tencica. The safety harness 110 further comprises leg bands 180 and 190. Figure 6 illustrates a safety feature 210 comprising a non-elastic tape band with eyelets 265. The safety a 210 is similar in overall structural-design to Miller model 8095. The non-elastic tape band 265 is attached to the lower portion of the shoulder bands 220 and 230. The shoulder bands 220 and 230 are preferably made of elastic mesh as described above. As in the designs described above, safety harnesses 210 preferably consist of band portions 242 and 244 made of non-elastic mesh. Safety harnesses 210 also comprise a seat band portion 270 attached to the lower portions of the band portions 220 and 230. The seat band portion 270 is preferably made of elastic mesh. Attached to the seat band portion 270 are leg band portions 280a, 280b, 290a and 290b, which are preferably made of elastic mesh as described above. The safety harness 210 is fixed by means of a ring D 250. Although the present invention has been described in detail in relation to the previous examples, it should be understood that such detail is only for those examples and that variations can be made by those experts in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention except that it may be limited to the following claims.

Claims (21)

1. CLAIMS l. - An a is safety to be used by a person to protect the person in the event of a fall from a height, the safety harness comprises: a portion of band to extend over a portion of the person's body to retaining the person within the safety harness, at least one section of the band portion being adapted to have an elastic extension of at least 3% under a tensile load of about 4.54 to about 9 kg, the band portion furthermore has a final tensile load of at least 2270 kg, the at least one section of the band portion comprises a mesh of at least two materials, one of the two materials is a high-tensile non-elastic material, the other material is an elastic material .
2. 2. - The safety harness according to claim 1 wherein at least one section of the band portion is adapted to have an elastic extension in the range of about 3 to about 20% under a tensile load of about 4.54. to approximately 9 kg.
3. 3. - The safety harness according to claim 2 wherein at least one section of the band portion is adapted to have an elastic extension in the range of about 3 to about 15% under a tenement load of about 4.54 kg.
4. 4. The safety harness according to claim 3 wherein at least one section of the band portion is adapted to have an elastic extension in the range of about 7 to about 11% under a tensile load of about 4.54 kg.
5. 5. - The safety harness according to claim 1 in which substantially the entire band portion consists of a mesh of at least two materials, one of the two materials is a non-elastic material of high tensile strength, the other material it is an elastic material the mesh of at least two materials has an elastic extension of at least 3% under a tensile load of about 4.54 to about 9 kg, the mesh of at least two materials has an elastic extension no greater than 20% with a tensile load of up to approximately 454 kg.
6. 6. The security ames according to claim 1 wherein the band portion has an elastic extension not greater than 20% with a tensile load of up to about 45.4 kg.
7. The safety harness according to claim 1, wherein the band portion has an elastic extension no greater than 20% with a tensile load of up to about 454 kg.
8. 8. The a safety device according to claim 5, wherein the band portion has an elastic extension no greater than 20% with a tensile load of up to about 45.4 kg.
9. 9. - The safety harness according to claim 1 wherein the band portion has an elastic extension no greater than 20% with a tensile load of up to about 454 kg.
10. 10. - A safety belt to be used by a person to protect the person in the event of a fall from a height, the safety harness comprises: a top portion for the torso that has a shoulder strap portion which extends over the respective shoulder of a person when at least one section of the shoulder band exhibits an elastic extension of at least 3% with a tensile load of about 4.54 to about 9 kg, the shoulder strap portion further has a final tensile load of at least 2270 kg, the at least one section of the shoulder band portion consists of a mesh of at least two materials one of the two materials is a high-tensile non-elastic tensile material, the other material is a elastic material.
11. 11. The safety harness according to claim 10, wherein at least one section of the shoulder band portion is adapted to have an extension elastic in the range of about 3 to about 20% under a tensile load of about 4.54 to about 9 kg.
12. 12. The safety harness according to claim 2 wherein at least one section of the shoulder band portion is adapted to have an elastic extension in the range of about 3 to about 15% under a tensile load of about 4.54 kg.
13. 13. The safety ames according to claim 3 wherein at least one section of the shoulder band portion is adapted to have an elastic extension in the range of about 7 to about 11% under a tensile load of about 4.54 kg.
14. 14. - The ames of security according to claim 10 wherein the entire portion of shoulder band consists of a bad of at least two materials, one of the two materials is not elastic, the material of high tensile strength, the other material is an elastic material, the mesh of at least two materials has an elastic extension of at least 3% under a tensile load of approximately 4.54 to approximately 9 kg, the mesh of at least two materials that has an elastic extension no greater than 20% with a tensile load of up to approximately 454 kg.
15. 15. The safety harness according to claim 10 wherein at least one section of the shoulder band portion has an elastic extension no greater than 20% under a tensile load of approximately 45.4 kg.
16. 16. - The a safety is according to claim 10 wherein at least one section of the shoulder band portion has an elastic extension not greater than 20% under a tensile load of about 454 kg.
17. 17. - The safety ames according to claim 14 wherein at least one section of the shoulder band portion has an elastic extension no greater than 20% under a tensile load of about 45.4 kg.
18. 18. - The safety harness according to claim 14 wherein at least one section of the shoulder band portion has an elastic extension not greater than 20% under a tensile load of approximately 454 kg.
19. 19. - The a is of safety according to claim 10 further comprising a portion of chest strap in operative connection with the shoulder band portion, the chest band portion is adapted to extend over a portion of the chest of a person, the chest band portion is made of a non-elastic material.
20. 20. The safety harness according to claim 10 further comprises a leg band portion in operative connection with the shoulder band portion, the leg band portion adapted to extend around a person's leg. , at least one section of the leg band portion is adapted to have an elastic extension of at least 3% under a tensile load of about 4.54 to about 9 kg, a leg band portion further has a final tensile load of at least 2270 kg, at least one section of the leg band portion consists of a mesh of at least two material one of the two materials is a high-tensile non-elastic material, the other material is an elastic material.
21. 21. The security ames according to claim 20 wherein the at least one leg band portion is adapted to have an elastic extension in the range of about 7 to about 11% under a tensile load of about 4.5. kg. 22. - The safety harness according to claim 19 in which substantially the entire leg band portion consists of a mesh of at least two materials one of the two materials is a high-tensile non-elastic tensile material, the other material is an elastic material.