SYSTEM FOR CARRYING OBJECTS ON THE BACK

Abstract: Carrying system for carrying objects on the back comprising a hip belt (14) and a chest strap (1), and therebetween running inclined elastically stiffening straps (2) and/or springs (5) possibly containing stays to sideways stabilize and secure the chest strap in a correct position in relation to the hip belt. The carrying system may preferably be used for carrying backpacks and frame-carriers, and may also be adjusted in height for suiting the individual user. The carrying system may also be used in combination with conventional shoulder straps.

Description: SYSTEM FOR CARRYING OBJECTS ON THE BACK The present invention concerns a system for carrying objects # 5 on the back, especially rucksacks, backpacks or back frames, '* said system comprising carrier straps secured around the hip section of the user and around the chest section of the user. 10 For people with deficiencies, diseases or disablements in the neck and shoulder area it has previously not existed any carrier system which has been suited to secure objects such as rucksacks or back frames to their backs so that these objects without problems might be carried, and the known 15 carrier constructions often provoke great pain for these groups of people. Generally a sense of tiredness and tenderness in the shoulder area will arise in all people when using the previously known carrier systems. The carrier constructions of today is contemplated to give the 20 main load to the shoulders of the user and often consist only of shoulder straps (regular sacks) or comprise additionally also load-supporting hip straps. Such hip straps may not, however, and are not intended to, relieve the shoulder straps completely. 25 It has previously been made attempts to produce carrier systems for backpacks making the user able to remove the backpack rapidly. It is thus known from US patent 4.307.826 a system where the backpack may be placed in sockets in a 30 carrier frame, and where the backpack is stabilized by the aid of a breast strap. In this carrier system the total weight is, however, transferred to the hip area, and s stabilization of the backpack is in the best case incom- ' plete, since it will be necessary with a very hard tighten- v 35 ing of the breast strap to prevent the backpack to be displaced sideways. Additionally this carrier system is not suited for women for obvious anatomical reasons. The purpose of the present invention is thus to produce a carrier system which removes the weight load from the shoulder area of the user, is comfortable in use and is stable. The system according to the invention is also non- discriminating, is very user-friendly and is indeed all- around useful. The advantage with the present carrier system compared to the previously known carrier devices, is that the user is here allowed the opportunity to individu¬ ally choose the carrier principle which is best suited. The invention will be more closely explained below, with reference to the enclosed figures, wherein: Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of the carrier system in combination with a conventional backpack observed from the side, and Fig. 2 shows the carrier system from Fig. 1, but observed from the back side. The carrier system according to the invention is based on and comprises a hip belt or strap 14 and a chest or breast belt or strap 1 being connected with each other via an inclined strap or belt 2 running between the hip belt 14 and the chest strap l. The inclined strap 2 is either made of an individually elastic or resilient material which is stiff enough to keep the chest strap in position in relation to the hip belt 14, but which at the samt time is soft enough not to be irritating for the user (choice of such a material is known to the person skilled in the art) , or it may be made by including such a stiffening material e.g. stays 4 with rounded ends, in a pocket running through the inclined strap 2. The resilience is produced in this instance e.g. via a flat spring 5 running as a joint between the stays 5, and which also is made of a suitable material such as plastic or metal, and is also stiffened in such a way that it is not irritating for the user. In the embodiment shown in fig. 1 and 2, the springs 5 end in stays 4, the ends of said stays being secured in a semi¬ circular holder 6 which may form a base for the ends of the stays 4, but the stays 4 and/or the spring(s) 5 may also be secured to the hip belt 14 and/or the chest strap 1 through other devices such as by velding, nailing etc. The inclined strap 2 may be equipped with a number of props or stays 4 and springs 5, and comprises at least one spring running between two end stays 4. The ends of each stay 4 may be held in a corresponding pocket on either the inclined strap 2, the chest strap 1 or the hip belt 14, or may also be secured in any other way than the ones mentioned above. The length adjustment of the inclined straps 2 for adapting the carrier system according to the invention to the anatomy of each individual user, may e.g. be performed by placing the bottom stay running in the inclined strap 2 in a holder being equipped with e.g. a velcro securing system which may be moved up and down across the hip belt 14 and thus adjust the length of the inclined strap 2. Other adjustment devices may also be contemplated, such as button-hole loops and/or buckles. The length adjustment may also be done in other places than on the hip belt, and possibly in addition to, at the middle and/or at the top of the inclined or crosswise strap 2. On account of the spring(s) 5 in the crosswise strap 2, such an adjustment will be taken up by the resilience in the spring(s) 5. The crosswise straps 2 may alternatively in themselves also be equipped with velcro-devices at their ends and corresponding velcro halves may in this case be present on the hip belt 14 and/or the chest strap 1. The adjustment device(s) may be covered by a flap or pocket 13 which also may be equipped with a velcro system for simple access to the adjustment devices. The carrier system according to the invention functions by the weight of the object to be carried being transferred to the hip area of the user through the hip belt 14. By securing the chest strap 1, the object to be carried will become stabilized both at the top via the chest strap 1 and at the hips via the hip belt 14. The inclined cross-straps both transfers the load on the chest strap 1 to the hip belt 14 and ensures a good side stabilization by their running crosswise from the chest strap 1 down to the hip belt 14. Because the cross-straps 2 contain resilient stiffening devices 4,5, a sinking down from the location of the chest strap is prevented and it will not be necessary to draw the chest strap too tight because the side stabilization of the object being carried is already ensured via the cross-straps 2 and the stiffening devices 4,5. The carrying system according to the present invention may be used for all objects being carried on the back such as rifles for ski-shooting etc. , but is especially suited for backpacks and back frames, and especially such sacks and frames having a stiff carrier frame, e.g. frame carrier sacks. It is especially preferred to use the carrying system according to the invention in combination with backpacks of the type where the volume (height) of the backpack may be varied. Such adjustment means may be produced by the frame 9 of the backpack or the carrier running in telescoping parts 10 which may be moved in the lengthwise direction of the frame, and where there are present securing devices on the frame parts 10 to fasten the telescoping parts. If such a system is used with inter alia a backpack, the backpack may be equipped with an elastic middle section 12 to take up the volume changes when frame of the backpack is adjusted. It is further an advantage to design the frame 9 of the backpack with a middle section 10 forming an intermediate space between the backside of the backpack and the back of the carrying person. This to avoid any uncomfort by swetting on the back when the backpack is carried. It will be possible to use together with the carrying system according to the invention conventional shoulder straps for carrying a backpack, frame carrier etc. In such a combina- tion system there may to the backpack or frame carrier frame 9,10 in a conventional manner be secured shoulder straps 3. The carrying system according to the invention will in such an instance function relieving to the shoulder staps 3. Additionally the chest strap 1 of the carrying system according to the invention will be independent of the shoulder straps 3, which makes the body more free and less restrained. The user may also use the chest strap 1 separately, the shoulder straps 3 separately or the chest strap 1 and the shoulder straps 3 in combination together with the hip belt 14. As shown in fig. 1 and 2 it is preferred that the securing area for the crosswise strap 2 with the stiffening devices 4,5 lies close to the hip ridge of the user and runs crosswise upwards and forwards to about 1/3 of the circum¬ ference of the chest strap 1. In this way the crosswise strap 2 will extend from the hip ridge of the user, up close to the user's side and under his or her arm and end in its securing area on the chest strap 1 somewhat to the side and to the front of the user's armpits. The carrying system according to the invention may also comprise further accessories, e.g. an outer pocket 15 for holding a rifle butt if hunting, or other holding devices e.g. for a felt bottle, cartridges, an axe etc. To the extent the carrying device in the above given disclosure has been described with reference to a chest strap, a crosswise strap, a hip belt, a shoulder strap etc. respecitvely, it is obvious that the carrying system is essentially symmetrical about a plane so that crosswise straps and shoulder straps preferrably lie on each side from the user and thus also preferably on each side of the object being carried (see fig. 2) . The carrying system according to the invention has above been disclosed and explained in connection with a specific embodiment, but other ambodiments may also be devised without departing from the principle of the invention. It is thus possible to design the carrying system with parts and elements which all may be disassembled and adjusted in relation to each other and in relation to the user. Devices being suited for both adjustment and disassembling has been indicated above, e.g. velcro systems, buckles, button-hole loops, buttons, pockets etc.

Claims: C l a i s 1. Carrying system being carried on the back comprising a hip belt (14) and a chest strap (1), c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the system additionally comprises at least one strap or stay (2) og resilient and/or elastically stiffening material running, preferably forwards inclined, between the hip belt (14) and the chest strap (1) . 2. Carrying system according to claim 1, c h r a c t e r i z e d i n that the strap or stay (2) comprises a hollow sheath containing at least an elastically stiffening spring (5) . 3. Carrying system according to claim 1 or 2, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the elastically stiffening device (2,5) also comprises a number of ribs (4) whereto the elastically stiffening devices are secured. 4. Carrying system according to any of the preceeding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the elasti¬ cally stiffening device (2,5) is a flat spring. 5. Carrying system according to any of the preceeding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that at least the upper and lower part of the elastically stiffening devices (2,5) end in a rib (4), said ribs (4) being held in separate securing pockets on the chest strap and the hip belt, respectively. 6. Carrying system according to claim 5, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the length of the strap (2) and or the elastically stiffening device (5) is adjust- able by using at least one adjustment device. 7. Carrying system according to claim 6, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the adjustment device comprises a pocket (13) located on the hip belt (14) and which may be adjusted with a velcro system, buckle devices and/or button devices. 8. Carrying system according to any of the preceeding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that it comprises pockets (15) located on the hip belt (14) for carrying objects such as the butt of a rifle, a felt flask, an axe, etc. 9. Use of the carrying system according to any of the claims 1 - 7 for carrying height-adjustable backpack frames or frame-carrier frames. 10. Use of the carrying system according to any of the claims 1 - 7 in combination with conventional shoulder-strap devices, preferably carrying strap systems for baclφacks and frame-carriers.

Inventors: ROENNINGEN SVEN ARNE, ROENNINGEN, SVEN, ARNE
Applicants: ROENNINGEN SVEN ARNE, ROENNINGEN, SVEN, ARNE
Application year: 1993
Main classification: A45F3
IPC codes: A45F3