MODULAR BACK SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR BACKPACKS OTHER APPARATUS

Abstract

An apparatus provides a modular back support system capable of distributing the weight carried by a user from one area to several areas of the user's body.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to and claims priority from commonly owned U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/816,279, entitled: MODULAR BACK SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR BULLETPROOF VESTS, BACKPACKS, AND THE LIKE, filed on Mar. 11, 2019, the disclosures of the aforementioned patent application is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to the field of modular back support systems, associated with the carrying of loads.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Traditionally, bulletproof vests, backpacks, and the like concentrate the weight carried by a subject on one area, for example, the shoulders, causing a reduction in a subject's movement capability.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a modular back support system capable of distributing the weight carried by a user from one area to several areas of the user's body. The present invention reduces the pressure applied on the shoulders of the user by distributing the weight being carried (e.g. the load), and distributes the weight between the shoulders and the waist area, which is considered to be the strongest area of the human body.

Embodiments of the invention are directed to a device (apparatus) for distributing the weight of a carried load. The device comprises: a first portion configured for: 1) receiving a carrier for causing distribution of the weight of the carrier; and 2) placement along a torso of a user; and, a second portion for holding the first portion on the user.

Optionally, the device is such that the first portion and the second portion are separable from each other and in communication with each other.

Optionally, the device is such that the first portion includes a body dimensioned for the torso.

Optionally, the device is such that the second portion includes a belt.

Optionally, the device is such that it additionally comprises: a connector in communication with the body and with the belt.

Optionally, the device is such that the connector is in communication with the body and with the belt by receiving: 1) the body in a removably attachable engagement, and/or, 2) the belt in a removably attachable engagement.

Optionally, the device is such that the body and/or the belt are positionable at multiple locations along the connector.

Optionally, the device is such that it additionally comprises: a flap configured holding the connector, the flap removably attachable from the connector.

Optionally, the device is such that the flap is foldable over the body.

Optionally, the device is such that the body includes a central channel for receiving the connector at multiple positions in a removably attachable engagement.

Optionally, the device is such that the flap includes a portion for connecting with the connector in the central channel in a removably attachable engagement.

Optionally, the device is such that the removably attachable engagement is caused by the contact of hook fasteners and corresponding loop fasteners.

Embodiments of the invention are directed to a method for producing an apparatus (e.g., a carrier) for distributing (and transferring) the weight of a carried load. The method comprises: providing a body configured for: 1) receiving a carrier for causing distribution of the weight of the carrier; and, 2) placement along a torso of a user; and, the body including a portion for receiving a connector in a removably attachable engagement; providing a belt for holding the first portion on the user; providing a connector for placing the body in communication with the belt; placing the connector into communication with the belt; and, placing the connector into communication with the body along the portion of the body for receiving the connector so that the carrier conforms with the height of the user.

Optionally, the method is such that the communication with the connector and the belt includes a removably attachable engagement.

Optionally, the method is such that the communication with the connector and the body includes a removably attachable engagement.

Unless otherwise defined herein, all technical and/or scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein may be used in the practice or testing of embodiments of the invention, exemplary methods and/or materials are described below. In case of conflict, the patent specification, including definitions, will control. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and are not intended to be necessarily limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some embodiments of the present invention are herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. With specific reference to the drawings in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of embodiments of the invention. In this regard, the description taken with the drawings makes apparent to those skilled in the art how embodiments of the invention may be practiced.

Attention is now directed to the drawings, where like reference numerals or characters indicate corresponding or like components. In the drawings:

FIG. 1A is an exploded front view of an apparatus in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 1B is an front view of the apparatus of FIG. 1A in a use position;

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the apparatus of FIG. 1A in the use position;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the apparatus;

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the apparatus;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the frame of the apparatus;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 1A taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 1B;

FIG. 7A-1 is a front view of the apparatus in separated into its parts prior to assembly;

FIG. 7A-2 is a rear view of the apparatus in separated into its parts prior to assembly;

FIGS. 7B, 7C and 7D are front views of the apparatus being assembled;

FIG. 7E is a rear view of the assembled apparatus of FIGS. 7A-7D;

FIG. 8A is a perspective view of the apparatus with the body portion at one adjustable position; and,

FIG. 8B is a perspective view of the apparatus with the body at another adjustable position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In this document, directional references such as, front, rear, upper and lower, top, bottom, and the like, are made. These directional references are used to illustrate example orientations of the apparatus of the invention and are not limiting in any way.

FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2, 3, 4 and 6, show the apparatus (or device) 100 of the invention. The apparatus 100 is lightweight and modular. It is designed to distribute and transfer the weight which the apparatus 100 carries from the shoulders, and, for example, to the back, such that the weight (load) being carried is balanced. The load, such as a backpack, bulletproof vest, vest or the like, is easily attached to the apparatus 100, by a wide variety of connectors. The apparatus 100 is be easily assembled, for the particular user, and easily disassembled.

The apparatus 100 is formed, for example, of a first portion or body 102, which is separable from a second portion or belt 104. The body 102 is placed into communication with the belt 104 or otherwise jointed thereto by a connector 106, which connects to both the body 102, along a central channel 108, and to the belt 104, in a pocket 110, in a removably attachable engagement. The connector 106 is such that the body 102 and/or the belt 104 are positionable along the connector at numerous locations, making the apparatus adjustable based on the height of each individual user. The body 102, belt 104, and connector 106 are, for example, symmetric about a vertical axis VA.

The body 102 is designed to be placed along or in alignment with the torso of a user and is designed to receive a carrier with a load, such as a backpack, bullet proof vest, other type of vest, or the like, or simply an object or item, collectively referred to hereinafter “the load”. The body 102 is constructed and arranged to allow the weight of the load to be distributed over the body 102, in order that carrying the load is easier and less burdensome to the user.

The body 102 includes upper 102x and lower 102y ends, and includes front 120 and rear 121 sheets, which are joined together at their peripheries 120a, 121a, and form a cavity 124 (FIG. 6) therebetween. A board or stiffening member 125 (FIG. 6), for example in a “Y” shape, corresponding to the central channel 108, is flanked on its lateral sides by pads 126, within the cavity 124. The board 125 is, for example, a semi-rigid component, which facilitates weight distribution and transfer of the load being carried. The board 125 and the pads 126 are stitched or otherwise held in place in the cavity 124 to maintain their position in the body 102. For example, the pads 126 are substantially rectangular, with a diagonal portion 126a extending between adjacent sides of the pads 126. The lateral sides of the body 102p, 102q, including the pads 126, may be bent or curved inward (e.g., from the edges of the board 125) to conform to the shape of the body or torso of the user.

The body 102 includes the central channel 108 extending along the body 102 from the upper end 102x to the lower end 102y. At the upper end 102x of the body 102, the central channel 108 tapers outward, the outward tapering being formed by the diagonal portions 126a of the pads 126. The central channel 108 is, for example, a valley, defined by the area between the pads 126, and is dimensioned to receive the connector 106 at multiple positions in the valley between the pads 126. A rectangular portion 108x of the valley includes a fastener material portion, such as the loops of a hook and loop type fastener, e.g., VELCRO® fastening system (formed of hook material strip, and loop material strips). This loop material of the valley portion 108x creates a removably attachable engagement with the corresponding hook material strip of the connector 106, disposed on the rear side 106b (FIG. 7A-2) of the connector 106.

Flanges 128a, 128b (FIG. 7B), which are optional, extend from the edges of the central channel 108. These flanges 128a, 128b are of either hooks or loops, or other fasteners, to removably attachably engage the connector 106 in the central channel 108, each other, or just rest one over the other without any removable attachment.

A flap 130 extends from the body 102 at its upper end 102x. The flap 130 includes a body 130a, which tapers inward to a tongue 130b. The flap 130, is attached to the body 102 along a body edge 130ax in a moveable manner, by stitching or the like. The flap 130 is foldable (moveable) over the body 102, and is, for example “Y” shaped, to seat in the Y shaped central channel 108, when folded (down) into the body 102, with the tongue 130b seating in the central channel 108, such that the apparatus 100 is in a use or deployed position, as shown, for example, in FIGS. 1B and 2. The “Y” shape of the flap 130 is maintained by a Y-shaped frame 132, for example of a lightweight material, such as metal or plastic, as shown in FIG. 5. The flap 130, along its inner side 130i (e.g., along the tongue 130b) includes one of the hook or loop fastener, or other fastener, so as to be removably attachable from the connector 106 (also seated in the central channel 108), to additionally secure the connector 106 in the central channel 108.

Lateral straps 140a, 140b extend from one side 102p of the body 102 while corresponding lateral straps 141a, 141b, which receive the respective straps 140a, 140b, extend from the other side 102q of the body 102, to attach to the load (e.g., backpack, bullet proof vest, vest, or the like). Additional straps 144a, 144b, extend vertically along the rear side 121 of the body 102, also to attach the load (e.g., backpack, bullet proof vest, vest, or the like). For example, with a backpack, bullet proof vest, vest, attached to the body 102 as the load (by the aforementioned connectors 140a, 140b, 141a, 141b, 144a, 144b, and/or other conventional connectors), the arm bands or arm openings serve to receive the arms of the user, such that the apparatus 100 is further supported by the user (in addition to the belt 104).

The connector 106 is of a stiff or rigid inner portion or board (not shown) in a cavity (not shown), enclosed in material sheets, defining oppositely disposed first or front 106a and second or rear 106b sides. Front side 106a includes, for example, loop material portion or other fastening material portion, to removably attachably engage the inner side 130i of the flap 130, with its corresponding hook material portion or other fastening material portion, and that of the pocket 110. The rear side 106b (FIG. 7A-2) includes, for example, hook material portion or other fastening material portion, to removably attachably engage, the corresponding loop material (loop material portion) of the inner channel 108, and that of the pocket 110.

The body 102, for example, at its front sheet 120, as well as the flap 130 on its outer side 130j, and the front side 106a of the connector 106, are made, for example, of a polyester mesh material. The body 102, for example, at its rear sheet 121 and the rear 106b side of the connector 106 are, for example, made of a polyester or polymeric fabric. The pads 126 are made of, for example, foam, such as a polymer-based foam.

The belt 104 includes front 150 and rear 151 sheets (defining front and rear sides, respectively, of the belt 104), which are joined together at their periphery 150a, 151a, and form a cavity 154 therebetween. Central 156c and lateral 156d pads are within the cavity 154 (FIG. 6) and are stitched or otherwise held in place in the cavity 154 to maintain their position in the belt 104. The pocket 110 is disposed centrally on the belt 104.

As shown in FIG. 6, the pocket 110 includes portions 158a (including loop or other fastening material), 158b (including hook or other fastener material), to receive and hold the connector 106 (with its corresponding hook, loop or other fastener on its sides 106a, 106b (side surfaces)) in a removably attachable engagement. Alternately, the connector 106 may be fixed in the pocket 110 by numerous techniques, for example, one or more of: stitching, riveting, adhesives, and the like.

Straps 159a, 159b extend from the lateral ends 104p, 104q of the belt 104. The straps 159a, 159b may be joined, such that the belt 104 (along the front sheet 150) is (e.g., wraps) around the user, for example, at or proximate to the waist of the user.

The belt 104 is, for example, made of the same polyester mesh material and/or polyester or polymeric fabric as the body 102. Similarly, the pads 156 are, for example, made of the same material as the pads 126 of the body 102.

Attention is now directed to FIGS. 7A-1 to 7E to show an assembly of the apparatus 100. In FIGS. 7A-1 and 7A-2, the pieces of the apparatus, body 102, belt 104 and connector 106 are shown prior to assembly and from their rear sides.

In FIG. 7B, now looking at the front sides of the body 102, belt 104 and connector 106, respectively, the connector 106 has been placed in the central channel 108 of the body 102. In FIG. 7C, the connector 106 has been placed into the pocket 110 of the belt 104. In FIG. 7D, the flanges 128a, 128b have been folded inward, into the central channel 108, over each other and joined together, to secure the connector 106 in the channel 108. Additionally, the flap 130 has been folded over the body 102, over the connector 106, such that the tongue portion 130b of the flap 130 is in the central channel 108, additionally securing the connector 106. The apparatus 100 is now assembled and ready for use, so that a load can be attached to the body 102. FIG. 7E shows the assembled apparatus 100 of FIG. 7D (in the use position), from the rear side.

FIG. 8A shows the apparatus where the belt 104 is at a first distance from the body 102. In FIG. 8B, the apparatus 100 is such that the belt 104 is at a second distance from the body 102, as a result of the connector 106 at a different position (e.g., toward the lower end 102y of the body 102), than in FIG. 8A. These different positions allow for the apparatus 100 to be adjustable for each individual user (e.g., the height and torso of each individual user).

It will be appreciated that the above descriptions are intended only to serve as examples, and that many other embodiments are possible within the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A device for distributing the weight of a carried load, comprising:

a first portion configured for: 1) receiving a carrier for causing distribution of the weight of the carrier; and 2) placement along a torso of a user; and,

a second portion for holding the first portion on the user.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the first portion and the second portion are separable from each other and in communication with each other.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein the first portion includes a body dimensioned for the torso.

4. The device of claim 2, wherein the second portion includes a belt.

5. The device of claim 3, additionally comprising: a connector in communication with the body and with the belt.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the connector is in communication with the body and with the belt by receiving: 1) the body in a removably attachable engagement, and/or, 2) the belt in a removably attachable engagement.

7. The device of claim 5, wherein the body and/or the belt are positionable at multiple locations along the connector.

8. The device of claim 6, additionally comprising: a flap configured holding the connector, the flap removably attachable from the connector.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the flap is foldable over the body.

10. The device of claim 8, wherein the body includes a central channel for receiving the connector at multiple positions in a removably attachable engagement.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the flap includes a portion for connecting with the connector in the central channel in a removably attachable engagement.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein the removably attachable engagement is caused by the contact of hook fasteners and corresponding loop fasteners.

13. A method for producing an apparatus for distributing the weight of a carried load, comprising:

providing a body configured for: 1) receiving a carrier for causing distribution of the weight of the carrier; and, 2) placement along a torso of a user; and, the body including a portion for receiving a connector in a removably attachable engagement;

providing a belt for holding the first portion on the user;

providing a connector for placing the body in communication with the belt;

placing the connector into communication with the belt; and,

placing the connector into communication with the body along the portion of the body for receiving the connector so that the carrier conforms with the height of the user.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the communication with the connector and the belt includes a removably attachable engagement.

15. The method of claims 13, wherein the communication with the connector and the body includes a removably attachable engagement.