Abstract: A hip mounted, springable frame that compresses between the chest and thighs of a worker when he stoops over so as to help the worker to stand erect again and ease back strain. The center of the frame comprises a pair of arc-shape springs that wrap around cylindrical spools of elastomer. The spools are attached to a belt surrounding the worker's waist at hip level. The frame is easily removed and reattached by snapping the springs over the spools. Wear is reduced since there are no moving parts, and the spring forces are adjustable with the use of variable compliance and or springs having different spring constant such as priorities by different spring geometry.

Abstract: A portable spring leveraged device adapted for attachment to the hips in a manner that allows a person engaged in so-called "stoop labor" to bend or flex at the hips with less physical exertion, and with less stress and strain on involved musculature and vertebral joints. The device consists of a U-shaped metal or plastic frame, hinged in each arm of the U and provided with spring resistance at each hinge point. The frame is belt-mounted at the wearer's waist with the hinge points adjacent the hips and with the bottom of the U and arms providing padded contact at the wearer's chest and thighs, respectively. The two arms provide for independent leg movement for walking while the chest contact resiliently supports a major portion of the wearer's upper torso weight during leaning and stooping, thus relieving the stresses and strains normally imparted to the back muscles, ligamentous and bony support, and especially the low back structure, during, for example, use of a short hoe and/or lifting produce boxes.