Patent ID: 8678254

Claim:
A support belt assembly for a user for carrying a slab, the support belt assembly comprising: (a) a belt for securing around a waist of a user, the belt including a first end having a fastener, a second end configured to receive the fastener and a middle portion having a midpoint intermediate the first end and the second end and arranged between the first and second ends the band having a top edge and a spaced bottom edge extending between the first end and the second end; (b) a first strap having a first upper portion and an end portion, the end portion affixed to the first upper portion and forming a first terminal closed loop a first spacer portion intermediate to the first terminal closed loop and the bottom edge of the band, the first upper portion connected to the belt at a first folded region, the first folded region at a first anterior location of the belt; (c) a second strap having a second upper portion and an end portion, the end portion affixed to the second upper portion forming a second terminal closed loop and a second spacer portion intermediate to the second terminal closed loop and the bottom edge of the band, the second upper portion connected to the belt at a second folded region, the second folded region at a second anterior location of the belt; and (d) a pincher having pivotally connected arms, first and second handles and first and second gripping surfaces, the handles moveable between open and closed positions to move the gripping surfaces between a receiving position and a clamping position, respectively, wherein the first handle is disposed within the first closed loop and the second handle is disposed within the second closed loop; (e) each of the first and second straps locating corresponding first and second closed loops a first distance from the bottom edge of the band to cooperatively engage the first and second handle of the pincher in the receiving position of the gripping surface; and (f) each of the first and second straps locating corresponding first and second closed loops a second distance from the bottom edge of the band to cooperatively engage the first and second handle of the pincher in a clamping position of the gripping surface, the second distance being greater than the first distance, and each of the first and second straps disposed to locate the pincher ventrally with respect to the user, the support belt assembly bearing all the weight of the slab and being free of contact with the shoulders and arms of a user.