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Suspending a Leg Harness
Ian:
It looks like he just made a big rectangle, it needs to be shaped to match the curve of the hips to function optimally. When rolled out it actually should be more of a U shape with the upper edge shorter than the lower edge.
The U shape will prevent it from sliding down over time because the length of the top edge is less than your hip circumference, so it can't slip off. A rectangle will tend to slide down over time, or bunch up because at no point is it less than the widest circumference of your body. I've attached a really bad track-pad drawing of the basic idea. My design is also set up to buckle in the back.
Sir James A:
^ second what Sir Ian said
Look at the C-Belt shaping as an example too.
Lord Dane:
Questions for you guys: What would be the difference between using Ian's girdle idea (linen or leather with tie points) and using a leather kidney belt with the cross straps and buckles?? Would there be historical variation, difference, or significance?? Kidney belts are more protection than support from a Roman-Greco era when Gladiators fought but seems it would work the same in principle for Crusader era maille chausses or even plate armor (depending on how you rig the suspension). It might be more rigid but certainly seems feasible. Thoughts???
Ian:
--- Quote from: Lord Dane on 2015-07-13, 07:58:22 ---Questions for you guys: What would be the difference between using Ian's girdle idea (linen or leather with tie points) and using a leather kidney belt with the cross straps and buckles?? Would there be historical variation, difference, or significance?? Kidney belts are more protection than support from a Roman-Greco era when Gladiators fought but seems it would work the same in principle for Crusader era maille chausses or even plate armor (depending on how you rig the suspension). It might be more rigid but certainly seems feasible. Thoughts???
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The historical significance is that there's no evidence for a kidney belt in the middle ages, or anything discretely worn to protect the kidneys. Obviously things like a Coat of Plates or the fauld on a cuirass, or maille would do it, but a kidney belt is something else entirely. Nothing like that shows up in any armory inventories that I'm aware of, which is likely where they would show up if they existed since they wouldn't be a visible layer in artwork.
That being said, a kidney belt may physically work to support a pair of chausses, it's just not optimal. The shape is basically a rectangle with a swell in the middle to protect the kidneys, so it will probably tend to ride down over time. That's why a normal belt isn't that great either. The materials for the kidney belt are also not ideal. The reason for not using thick rigid materials like that are important. The thicker and more rigid the material, the more it will dig in to your hips and make wear uncomfortable. The reason for wearing a flexible, supple leather or textile is to use something that conforms naturally to the body. With increased application of downward force on something flexible and conforming, you may feel increased pressure, but you won't get edges digging in to your hip bones and skin. With any sort of thick, rigid material, over time you will get that feeling like your belt is cutting in to you. The downward force will be variable as you move around, so you don't want something that will cause you pain every time you lift your leg and it tugs on your support system.
Sir Rodney:
--- Quote from: Ian on 2015-07-13, 13:57:13 ---... With any sort of thick, rigid material, over time you will get that feeling like your belt is cutting in to you. The downward force will be variable as you move around, so you don't want something that will cause you pain every time you lift your leg and it tugs on your support system.
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Been there, done that, not going back! :o
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