LOAD CARRYING GARMENT
A load carrying garment incorporating a load supporting and stabilizing layer to distribute the load secured to a wearable element. The specific load securing element is removably attached to the garment.
This invention relates to safe and reliable carrying of heavy and/or awkward loads by humans, and more particularly to a garment which, although worn like a vest to distribute the load, includes internal reinforcement and alternative exterior structures to accommodate specific loads.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONHistorically, mankind has devised numerous mechanical devices to relieve the burden of loads from both humans and animals. These devices have included wheeled carriers and travois.
There are some situations and some items which, because of the environment or because of the object itself, are more simply and productively transported by human. In order to accommodate these circumstances, it is both necessary to provide a device which allows the carrier/wearer to distribute the weight, avoiding injury, and further to carry the load comfortably.
As a result of the necessity and/or desire to transport objects on one's back, there have been numerous designs of backpacks and other carriers, permitting the relatively easy transport of bulky and/or unusually shaped objects, such as skis, snowboards or the like to the lodge or to the lift, thus freeing up the carrier's hands for balance or other uses. Prior art known to the current inventor includes U.S. Pat. No. 4,819,845 granted to Byrd, Apr. 11, 1989, which discloses a load-carrying element, particularly designed for carrying skis; U.S. Pat. No. 5,881,708 granted to Kliot, Mar. 16, 1999, discloses a backpack primarily designed to carry footwear, but does teach the utilization of a device for carrying a snowboard; U.S. Pat. No. 6,971,764 granted Jul. 5, 2011 to Sabbah, discloses a backpack which has a removable attachment for carrying skis and snowboards; U.S. Publication No. 2011/0180575 published Jul. 28, 2011 in the name of Abramowitz et al discloses a snow sport back with removable attachments for carrying skis and snowboards along with poles, helmets, goggles and other gear.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONWith the above-noted prior art in mind, it has been determined that there is needed to be a safe and efficient way to transport bulky and/or awkward objects, ensuring the safety and comfort of the individual during the transport.
It has further been determined that bulky and/or awkward objects are best transported when the load is spread evenly over the wearer's back, and therefore there is provided a reinforced vest-like garment as a platform to which may be attached specific hardware and/or software to accommodate particular objects, such as skis, snowboards and the like.
It has yet further been determined that in addition to adjustable shoulder straps, hip straps, and the like, the load is best supported by a semi-rigid, conformable platform surrounded by fabric for comfort and additional support, wherein said platform transmits any load and/or pressure from a single point and/or line to one that is universally spread over the wearer's back.
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The snowboard carrier includes a main body portion 70, generally oriented vertically on the vest, and including two pairs of outwardly extending opposing ears 72, 74, which provide the securement to the vest. Secured to the ears are broad straps 76, 78, 80, 82, which as explained hereinafter secure the snowboard. It is to be noted that the interior surface of the main body portion 70 including ears 72, 74 and straps 76-82 includes surface texturing on the cushion to frictionally hold the board.
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Although a preferred embodiment has been disclosed for purposes of illustration, it should be understood that various changes and modifications and substitutions could be made in the preferred embodiment without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined by the claims which follow:
Claims
1. A stabilizing vest or pack, comprising:
- an inner semi-rigid shell contoured to support the wearer's back without impairing movement;
- an outer shell overlying and secured to the inner shell extending outwardly beyond the inner shell to form the article of clothing including hip pads;
- a liner to pad the wearer and provide ventilation;
- a pair of adjustable shoulder straps extending from the upper portion of the outer shell to the hip pads; and
- a removable modular transporting system designed for the intended load.
2. A stabilizing vest as in claim 1, wherein the transporting system is designed to accommodate skis.
3. A stabilizing vest as in claim 1, wherein the transporting system is designed to accommodate snowboards.
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 11, 2012
Publication Date: Mar 13, 2014
Applicant: Orion Packs LLC (Duvall, WA)
Inventor: Mathew J. Callison (Duvall, WA)
Application Number: 13/610,664
International Classification: A45F 3/14 (20060101);