LOAD-BEARING BELT

Abstract

A load-bearing belt for use with a hiking backpack or the like, particularly for female users, is provided. The load-bearing belt includes a back portion and two side portions. The two side portions extend downward from the back portion.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This nonprovisional application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/859,990, filed on Jul. 30, 2013, which is incorporated in its entirety by reference.

BACKGROUND

The field of this disclosure relates generally to a belt used to facilitate carrying a load on the back of a user (e.g., a hiker), and, more particularly, some aspects of this disclosure relate to a load-bearing belt used to transfer the weight of a backpack or the like to a hiker's hips.

FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional hiking backpack, generally indicated at 10, used to distribute the weight of a load inside the backpack to a user's hips when the backpack is worn. The backpack 10 comprises a bag 12, a support structure 14 (e.g., an internal frame) for supporting the bag, a shoulder harness 16 for releasably securing the backpack around the shoulders of a user wearing the backpack, and a waistbelt 18 for releasably securing the backpack around the user's waist. The support structure 14, the shoulder harness 16, and/or the waistbelt 18 may be adjustable such that the backpack 10 form fits to the user when the backpack is worn. For example, the support structure 14, the shoulder harness 16, and/or the waistbelt 18 may be adjusted such that most of the weight of the load contained within the bag 12 of backpack 10 is distributed to a user's hips via the waistbelt.

As is more readily seen in FIGS. 2-3B, the waistbelt 18 generally comprises a back portion 20 and two side portions 22, 24. The back portion 20 is secured to the bag 12 and/or the support structure 14 of the backpack 10 and is disposed near a user's lower back when wearing the backpack. The side portions 22, 24 extend outwardly from the back portion 20 in a generally horizontal and slightly upwards direction (as viewed in FIG. 2), and are configured to wrap around the torso of a user when the backpack 10 is worn. More particularly, the side portions 22, 24 are configured to be wrapped snug against a user's waist near or around the user's ilium (pelvic bone) 26, as best seen in FIG. 3B, and secured using a buckle 19 or the like. In such a configuration, the weight of a load within the bag 12 may be distributed through the support structure 14 to the waistbelt 18 and ultimately the user's hips, thus reducing the strain placed on the user's back, shoulders, and the like.

The conventional waistbelt 18 is typically unisex (i.e., intended for use by either a male or female user), although relative dimensions, etc., of the waistbelt may be adjusted depending on a targeted user of the waistbelt. For example, a width of the waistbelt 18 (i.e., a dimension of the waistbelt from a top edge 34 of the waistbelt to a bottom edge 36 of the waistbelt) may be narrower when the waistbelt is adapted to be worn by a female than when the waistbelt is adapted to be worn by a male. Nonetheless, even if the waistbelt 18 is adapted for a female user (by, e.g., reducing the width), it may be generally uncomfortable when ultimately worn. Specifically, general differences in male and female anatomy may result in the waistbelt 18 being ill-suited for a female regardless of whether or not the waistbelt is adapted for a female user (e.g., made smaller in a length or width direction than a similarly-designed waistbelt provided for a male user).

This may be more readily understood with reference to FIGS. 4-6. FIGS. 4, 5, and 6 illustrate a top view, a front view, and a side view, respectively, of a female hip structure 32 and a male hip structure 38. As depicted in FIGS. 4-6, the female's hip structure 32 is tilted forward and out as compared to the male's hip structure 38. That is, the female's ilium 26 is provided more forward and more outward than a male's ilium 44, as can be most readily seen in FIG. 6. More specifically, a typical female's pelvis is tilted further in the anterior direction (i.e., a direction referring to the front of the pelvis being tilted down and away from the spine) than a male's pelvis. For example, a typical female's pelvis may experience a normal anterior pelvic tilt in the range of six to ten degrees, while a typical male's pelvis may experience a normal anterior pelvic tilt in the range of one to five degrees. Further, the female's ilium 26 is wider in a direction extending from her bottommost rib 28 to her hip joint 30 than the male's ilium 44 in a similar direction (i.e., a direction extending from his bottommost rib 46 to his hip joint 48). Finally, a female's ilium 26 is provided very near her bottommost rib 28 (e.g., on average within two inches) while a male's ilium 44 is located much further away from his bottommost rib 46 (e.g., on average more than four inches).

These general differences in male and female anatomy result in a conventional waistbelt 18 being ill-suited for a female user. For example, and returning to FIG. 3B, when a female wears the backpack 10 including the conventional waistbelt 18, the waistbelt is secured around the female's waist. At such a position, the waistbelt 18 is positioned well above the user's hip joint 30 and around a top of her ilium 26 and adjacent her bottom rib 28. Such a location may cause general discomfort for the female user. Further, the conventional waistbelt 18 may ride up to the user's natural waist, resulting in general annoyance during a hike or the like as the user may need to, e.g., frequently stop and adjust a location of the conventional waistbelt.

Even further, the conventional waistbelt 18 may not properly stabilize a female user's pelvis as it would a male's, thus adversely affecting her stride while walking or hiking This may be more readily understood with reference to FIG. 7. FIG. 7 illustrates a front view of the female hip structure 32 and the male hip structure 38. Depicted adjacent to each hip structure 32, 38 is a representation of a location where the conventional waistbelt 18 (and more particularly the side portions 22, 24 of the conventional waistbelt) is located for a typical male and female user of the waistbelt. As illustrated, when used by a typical male, the side portions 22, 24 of the waistbelt 18 generally sit on an outside of the male's ilium 44, causing a weight of the backpack 10 and its corresponding load to be transferred generally downward on the user's hips as depicted by weight transfer arrows 52. Thus, when walking, hiking, etc., the weight of the backpack 10 is generally supported by the user's hips while his pelvis is generally stabilized by the waistbelt 18.

However, when worn by a typical female user, the side portions 22, 24 of the waistbelt 18 generally sit on top of the female's ilium 26, and, in some configurations, may tend to “ride up” to the female's natural waist when worn. In such a configuration, and unlike the weight transfer benefits provided to the male user as discussed, the waistbelt 18 causes a destabilizing effect, with the weight of the backpack 10 and its corresponding load transferred side to side as the user moves. This is generally depicted by weight transfer arrows 50. More specifically, and as will be appreciated by those having skill in the art, a typical female's pelvis moves in a figure-eight motion when the female is walking normally without wearing, e.g., the backpack 10 and/or the waistbelt 18. However, when wearing the backpack 10 with the waistbelt 18, the weight of the backpack and any load contained therein is transferred side to side on the top of the female's ilium 26, prohibiting her pelvis from moving in the appropriate figure-eight motion. Rather, the female's pelvis is destabilized with the weight of the backpack 10 and its load transferred side to side as depicted by weight transfer arrows 50. This destabilizing effect causes a female to expend more energy just to, e.g., walk and stand up straight. Thus, female users of the conventional waistbelt 18 may become easily fatigued and experience an overall “trudging” feeling while carrying a load.

In view of the above drawbacks of the conventional waistbelt 18, there remains a need for an improved load-bearing belt which eliminates one or more of the above problems experienced by female users. More particularly, there remains a need for a load-bearing belt which does not constrict a user's ribs and/or waist area when worn. Further, there remains a need for a load-bearing belt which does not ride up on a female user, thus reducing the need for adjustments to the belt during a hike or the like. Even further, there remains a need for an improved load-bearing belt which stabilizes a female's pelvis during use thus reducing fatigue and/or a trudging feeling traditionally experienced by a female user during hikes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

In one aspect, a load-bearing belt generally comprises a back portion and two side portions. The two side portions generally extend downward from the back portion.

In another aspect, a load-bearing belt configured to transfer the weight of a backpack to a user's hips is provided. The load-bearing belt generally comprises a back portion configured to be disposed near a lower back of a user, and two side portions. Each side portion extends from the back portion and is configured to be releasably secured around a corresponding hip of the user when the load-bearing belt is worn. Each side portion extends generally downward from the back portion such that, when each side portion is releasably secured around the corresponding hip, the side portion is disposed below the user's iliac crest and above the user's hip joint.

In yet another aspect, a backpack generally comprises a bag configured to house a load, a support structure for the bag, a shoulder harness configured to releasably secure the backpack around a user's shoulders, and a load-bearing belt. The load-bearing belt is configured to releasably secure the backpack around the user's hips such that, when secured, at least a portion of the load is supported by the user's hips. The load-bearing belt generally comprises a back portion secured to at least one of the bag and the support structure and configured to be disposed near a lower back of the user, and two side portions. Each side portion extends generally downward from the back portion such that, when the backpack is releasably secured around the user's hips, each side portion is disposed below an iliac crest and above a hip joint.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective of a prior art backpack provided with a conventional waistbelt.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the conventional waistbelt provided on the backpack of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are a side view and front view, respectively, of a female using the backpack of FIG. 1 with the conventional waistbelt of FIG. 2 secured around her waist.

FIG. 4 is a top view of a typical female and male hip structure.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the typical female and male hip structures illustrated in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the typical female and male hip structures illustrated in FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a front view of the typical female and male hip structures illustrated in FIG. 4 depicted with a representation of a location of the conventional waistbelt of FIG. 2 when used by a typical female and male user, respectively.

FIG. 8 is a front view of one embodiment of a load-bearing belt according to some aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a schematic comparing an angle of the side portions of the load-bearing belt of FIG. 8 with an angle of the side portions of the conventional waistbelt of FIG. 2.

FIG. 10 is a front view of the typical female hip structure illustrated in FIG. 4 depicted with a representation of a location of the load-bearing belt of FIG. 8 when used by a typical female user, and a front view of the typical male hip structure illustrated in FIG. 4 depicted with a representation of a location of the conventional waistbelt of FIG. 2 when used by a typical male user.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Turning now to FIG. 8, a load-bearing belt 118 according to one suitable embodiment is provided which overcomes one or more of the drawbacks of the conventional waistbelt 18 discussed above. In the depicted embodiment, the load-bearing belt 118 comprises a back portion 120 and two side portions 122, 124. The back portion 120 may be secured to the backpack 10 and/or the support structure 14 of the backpack and may generally be disposed near a user's lower back when the backpack is worn. In such a position, the back portion 120 may provide lumbar support for a user when the backpack 10 is worn. The side portions 122, 124 generally extend outwardly and downwardly from the back portion 120, and are configured to be securely wrapped around a user' hip structure when the backpack 10 is worn. For example, the side portions 122, 124 are configured to be wrapped around a user and secured using, e.g., a buckle (not shown but similar to buckle 19). In such a configuration, when the load bearing belt 118 is provided on a backpack 10 or the like, the weight of the backpack and/or a load within the bag 12 may be distributed through the support structure 14 to the load-bearing belt and ultimately to the user's lower body (e.g., hips) thus reducing the strain placed on the user's back, shoulders, etc.

When provided on the hiking backpack 10 or the like, the load-bearing belt 118 does not cause many of the problems for female users as are caused by the conventional waistbelt 18 discussed above. For example, the side portions 122, 124 of load-bearing belt 118 extend generally outwardly and downwardly (rather than generally horizontally and upwardly) from the back portion 120 of the load-bearing belt. Thus, when worn (with the back portion 120 disposed near a user's lower back) the side portions 120, 122 extend generally downwardly from the back portion and wrap around the sides of the user (e.g., around a user's hip structure) at a location lower than a location of side portions 20, 22 of the conventional waistbelt 18.

This may be more readily understood with reference to FIG. 9. FIG. 9 is a schematic overlaying the conventional waistbelt 18 with the load-bearing belt 118 according to some embodiments of the disclosure to illustrate the relative angular positions of the side portions of each. More particularly, the waistbelt 18 is overlaid with the load-bearing belt 118 with a horizontal axis 54 and a vertical axis 56 intersecting at a right angle at the center of each. As seen, an angle that the side portions 22, 24 of the conventional waistbelt 18 form with the vertical axis 56 is less than ninety degrees. More particularly, a centerline (not shown) of each of the side portions 22, 24 is angled upward from the horizontal axis 54. This leads to the waistbelt 18 being ill-suited for a female user, as discussed above.

However, the side portions 122, 124 of the load-bearing belt 118 according to some aspects of the disclosure extend generally downward from the center of the load-bearing belt. More particularly, a centerline 58 of the side portion 122 may form at an angle with the vertical axis 56 of greater than ninety degrees. In some embodiments, the centerline 58 of the side portion 122 may form an angle with the vertical axis 56 that is greater than a lower limit angle 60, and less than an upper limit angle 62. Preferably, in some embodiments, the lower limit angle 60 may be ninety degrees, and the upper limit angle may be 135 degrees. Therefore, the centerline 58 of the side portion 122 may form an angle with the vertical axis 56 that is generally greater than ninety degrees but less than 135 degrees in order to achieve one or more benefits to be discussed more fully. It should be understood that, although FIG. 9 illustrates the relative angular position of side portion 122 with respect to the vertical axis 56, a centerline (not shown) of the side portion 124 of the load-bearing belt 118 may be disposed in a similar manner with respect to the vertical axis 56. For example, in some embodiments the load-bearing belt 118 may be generally symmetrical about the vertical axis 56.

In such embodiments, and particularly when worn by a female user, the load-bearing belt 118 does not provide the same drawbacks as with the conventional waistbelt 18 discussed above. For example, the load-bearing belt 118 is secured lower on the user's hip structure than waistbelt 18 such that it does not constrict a user's abdomen region and/or ribcage (e.g., the user's lowest rib 28). Rather, the load-bearing belt 118 extends around the user's hip structure 32 below the user's iliac crest 27 (i.e., a widest point of the ilium 26) and above the hip joint 30, and, more particularly, the load-bearing belt extends around the user's hip structure such that a top edge 134 of the load-bearing belt is disposed below the iliac crest and a bottom edge 136 of the load-bearing belt is disposed above the user's hip joint. In such a configuration, the load-bearing belt 118 does not constrict or otherwise contact the user's abdomen region and/or ribcage (i.e., does not put pressure on the user's lowest rib 28). Accordingly, such a configuration may eliminate some of the drawbacks of the conventional waistbelt 18 discussed above.

Further, and again because the side portions 122, 124 of the load-bearing belt 118 extend around the side of a user generally at a location below the user's iliac crest 27 but above the hip joint 30, the load-bearing belt does not destabilize the user when walking, hiking, etc., as does the conventional waistbelt 18 discussed above. Rather, the user's pelvis is permitted to move, e.g., in its natural figure-eight motion. This may be more readily understood with reference to FIG. 10. FIG. 10 illustrates a front view of a typical male hip structure 38 depicted with a representation indicating a location of the conventional waistbelt 18 when used by a typical male user (similar to that depicted in FIG. 7). FIG. 10 further illustrates a front view of a typical female hip structure 32 depicted with a representation indicating a location of the load-bearing belt 118 when used by a typical female user. As discussed in connection with FIG. 7, when a male user wears a backpack 10 or the like provided with the waistbelt 18, wrapping the side portions 22, 24 of the waistbelt around his hip structure 38 causes a generally downward (and stable) transfer of the load from the backpack to his hips as generally illustrated by the weight transfer arrows 52. The same waistbelt 18 worn by a typical female user, however, produces destabilizing effects (as discussed).

However, when the female wears a backpack 10 or the like provided with an embodiment of the load-bearing belt 118 as described, because the side portions 122, 124 extend generally downward (rather than generally horizontally or upwardly) from the back portion 120, each side portion wraps around her hip structure 32 at a location below the iliac crest 27 but above the hip joint 30 as depicted in FIG. 10. Accordingly, the load-bearing belt 118 (unlike the waistbelt 18) does not sit on top of the female user's ilium 26 nor does the load-bearing belt have a tendency to ride up to the user's natural waist during use. And because the load-bearing belt 118 does not rest on the top of the user's ilium 26, the load-bearing belt 118 does not transfer the weight of a backpack 10 from side to side when a user walks (as discussed in connection with weight transfer arrows 50 depicted in FIG. 7). Rather, the location of the load-bearing belt 118 (i.e., a location of side portions 122, 124 below the iliac crest 27 but above the hip joint 30) transfers the weight of backpack 10 or other load provided on the user's back generally downward on the user's hips as illustrated by the weight transfer arrows 150. Thus, when a female user walks, hikes, etc., with a backpack 10 or the like provided with the load-bearing belt 118, the female user's pelvis is no longer destabilized as it is when using the conventional waistbelt 18. Rather, the female user's pelvis is stabilized by the load-bearing belt 118 much like a typical male's pelvis is stabilized by the conventional waistbelt 18. Further, in such embodiments, the female user's pelvis may be permitted to, e.g., move in its natural figure-eight motion. Accordingly, the load-bearing belt 118 may beneficially reduce the fatigue and general “trudging” feeling a typical female user experiences when carrying a backpack 10 or other device provided with a conventional waistbelt 18.

Those skilled in the art, given the benefit of this disclosure, will appreciate that the load-bearing belt 118 is not confined to the specific application as described above (i.e., use with a hiking backpack 10). Rather, the load-bearing belt 118 may be used with a wide variety of applications where it is desirable to transfer a load to a user's hips without departing from the scope of this disclosure. For example, according to some aspects, the load-bearing belt 118 may be provided on a child carrier (i.e., a device similar to the backpack 10 but adapted to carry a child on the user's back). In such embodiments, the weight of a child and any other load provided on the child carrier may be beneficially transferred to the user's hip structure 32 via the load-bearing belt 118 in a similar manner as discussed. Similarly, in other embodiments, the load-bearing belt 118 may be provided on a hydration pack (i.e., a bag configured to be worn on a user's back and store drinking water), a water belt (i.e., a belt configured to hold one or more water bottles), a lumbar or fanny pack (i.e., a bag configured to be worn near a user's lower back), or any other application where it is desirable to transfer a load from a user's shoulders, back, etc., to the user's hip structure. In each application, the location of the side portions 122, 124 of the load-bearing belt 118 may provide similar benefits (particularly for a female user) as described above.

Further, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the relative dimensions of the load-bearing belt 118 may vary depending on the ultimate application of the load-bearing belt without departing from the scope of this disclosure. For example, a load-bearing belt 118 adapted for use with, e.g., a backpack 10 or child carrier, may be generally wider (in a direction extending from a top edge 134 of the load-bearing belt to a bottom edge 136 of the belt) than a load-bearing belt adapted for use with, e.g., a water belt or lumbar pack. Any other suitable modifications may be made to the relative dimensions of the load-bearing belt 118 without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

When introducing elements of the present invention or the preferred embodiment(s) thereof, the articles “a”, “an”, “the” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising”, “including” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. Moreover, the use of “top”, “bottom”, “above”, “below” and variations of these terms is made for convenience, and does not require any particular orientation of the components.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.

Claims

1. A load-bearing belt comprising:

a back portion; and

two side portions extending downward from the back portion.

2. The load-bearing belt of claim 1 further comprising a backpack secured to the back portion.

3. The load-bearing belt of claim 2, wherein the backpack comprises a support structure, and wherein the back portion is secured to the support structure.

4. The load-bearing belt of claim 1 further comprising a child carrier secured to the back portion.

5. The load-bearing belt of claim 1, wherein the load-bearing belt is configured to be used with at least one of a water pack, a water belt, and a lumbar pack.

6. The load-bearing belt of claim 1, wherein the back portion is configured to provide lumbar support for the user.

7. The load-bearing belt of claim 1, wherein when releasably secured around a user's hip, each side portion is disposed below the user's iliac crest and above the user's hip joint.

8. The load-bearing belt of claim 1, wherein each side portion extends downward from the back portion at an angle greater than ninety degrees and less than 135 degrees with respect to a vertical axis.

9. A load-bearing belt configured to transfer the weight of a backpack to a user's hips, the load-bearing belt comprising:

a back portion configured to be disposed near a lower back of a user; and

two side portions, each side portion extending from the back portion and configured to be releasably secured around a corresponding hip of the user when worn, wherein each side portion extends downward from the back portion such that, when releasably secured around the corresponding hip, the side portion is disposed below the user's iliac crest and above the user's hip joint.

10. The load-bearing belt of claim 8 further comprising a backpack secured to the back portion.

11. The load-bearing belt of claim 9, wherein the backpack comprises a support structure, and wherein, the back portion is secured to the support structure.

12. The load-bearing belt of claim 8 further comprising a child carrier secured to the back portion.

13. The load-bearing belt of claim 8, wherein the load-bearing belt is configured to be used with at least one of a water pack, a water belt, and a lumbar pack.

14. The load-bearing belt of claim 8, wherein the back portion is configured to provide lumbar support for the user.

15. The load-bearing belt of claim 8, wherein each side portion extends downward from the back portion at an angle greater than ninety degrees and less than 135 degrees with respect to a vertical axis.

16. A backpack comprising:

a bag configured to house a load;

a support structure for the bag;

a shoulder harness configured to releasably secure the backpack around a user's shoulders; and

a load-bearing belt configured to releasably secure the backpack around the user's hips such that, when secured, at least a portion of the load is supported by the user's hips, wherein the load-bearing belt comprises: a back portion secured to at least one of the bag and the support structure and configured to be disposed near a lower back of the user; and two side portions, each side portion extending downward from the back portion such that, when the backpack is releasably secured around the user's hips, each side portion is disposed below an iliac crest and above a hip joint.

17. The load-bearing belt of claim 16, wherein the back portion is configured to provide lumbar support for the user.

18. The backpack of claim 15, wherein the at least a portion of the load comprises a majority of the load.

19. The backpack of claim 15, wherein, when secured, the load-bearing belt is configured to transfer a first portion of the load to the user's hips, wherein the shoulder harness is configured to transfer a second portion of the load to the user's shoulders, and wherein the first portion is greater than the second portion.

20. The load-bearing belt of claim 15, wherein each side portion of the load-bearing belt extends downward from the back portion at an angle greater than ninety degrees and less than 135 degrees with respect to a vertical axis.