Belt Shelf

A unitary static structure that provides an assist for a human user to carry unwieldy and/or heavy objects is simple, easy to construct (e. g. by injection molding to provide a single piece of rigid plastic), and contains no moving parts. The structure includes a main plate, a garment belt-receiving manifestation associated with the main plate, and a flat shelf extending perpendicular to the main plate. The garment belt-receiving manifestation desirably defines a channel so that a garment belt passes through the channel and engages portions of the front face of the main plate.

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Description
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

There are many situations where it is desirable to have an assist that helps a user carry objects without requiring the user's hands and arms to provide the sole support for an object. There are numerous prior art devices that provide such assists such as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 2,822,116 (a belt mounted bait box), U.S. Pat. No. 7,175,061 (a belt mounted hook-shaped cavity), U.S. Pat. No. 7,575,136 (a belt mounted child carrier), U.S. Pat. No. 8,783,534 (a waistband mounted support for a ladder), U.S. Pat. No. 9,999,291 (a weight bearing ledge for boxes fastened directly to a back support belt and shoulder straps), and U.S. Pat. No. 10,640,320 (a belt mounted holder for rolls of tape), and US Patent Publications 2001/0004987 (webbing which wraps around a user's hand or wrist to support man-made sheet materials), 2007/0017945 (a belt mounted lifting device for packaged goods), and 2008/0283563 (a belt mounted carrier for a tape measure). While all of these, and some other, prior art devices can provide a desirable assist for certain objects some are specific-purpose devices which are not universally usable, and most have a degree of complexity that is undesirable if they are to be manufactured easily and inexpensively.

According to the present invention an assist for carrying objects is provided that is extremely simple and easy to produce, comprising a unitary device with no moving parts or complicating elements, that is feasible for assisting a human user in the transport of an almost endless variety of objects. For example the assist according to the invention may effectively be utilized to support cardboard, wooden, or metal boxes; packages; pieces of furniture; construction materials; machinery; and almost any other object that can be safely carried by a single human.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a unitary static (i. e. no moving parts) structure which comprises: a main plate; a garment belt-receiving manifestation associated with the main plate; and a substantially flat shelf extending substantially perpendicular to the main plate and having a upper surface and a lower surface.

Desirably, the unitary static structure is formed by a single piece of rigid plastic, such as one selected from the group consisting essentially of glass-filled polypropylene, ABS, and glass-filled nylon. Also, the structure desirably includes at least one support connected between the shelf lower surface and the main plate, the at least one support preferably comprising at least one gusset, such as a pair of spaced gussets. The main plate desirably has a slight curvature, to roughly correspond to the front of a human's torso, although in some circumstances it can be substantially flat.

The garment belt-receiving manifestation may comprise a pair of spaced apertures (such as elements 6 in US 2007/0017945) or a belt clip (such as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 10,640,320). However, the preferred construction, which has a number of advantages, allows the garment belt to engage the main plate to more securely hold it in place on the torso front of a human user. In this preferred, advantageous, embodiment the main plate preferably has a front face from which the shelf extends and a rear face; and the garment belt-receiving manifestation comprises a channel-forming manifestation including a top portion substantially parallel to the shelf and integral with the main plate and extending outwardly from the front face of the main plate, and a front portion substantially parallel to the main plate and integral with the top portion and the shelf upper surface, so that a garment belt may pass through the channel formed by the top and front portions of the channel-forming manifestation and engage portions of the main plate front face. Desirably, the main plate is discontinuous opposite the channel-forming manifestation front portion, defining an open area in the main plate substantially the same size as the front portion of the channel-forming manifestation.

In a preferred embodiment the main plate has a width of about 8-10 inches (most desirably about 8.5-9.0 inches) and a height of about 1.5-3 inches (most desirably about 2.0-2.5 inches); and the shelf has a length of about 2-4 inches (most desirably about 2.5-3.0 inches) and a width of about 8-10 inches (most desirably about 8.5-9.0 inches). Also, the channel desirably has a height of about 2-4 inches (most desirably about 2.5-3.0 inches) and a thickness of about 0.1-0.4 inches (most desirably about 0.2-0.3 inches). Also in the preferred embodiment the unitary structure further comprises at least one support connected between the shelf lower surface and the main plate, the support desirably comprising one or more gussets.

As used herein the term “substantially perpendicular” means (for example with respect to the main plate and the shelf) that two elements make an angle of about 85°-95° with respect to each other, preferably about or exactly 90°.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided an object-supporting assist which comprises: A main plate having a front face and a rear face; a shelf extending substantially perpendicular to the main plate and having an upper surface and a lower surface; and a garment belt-receiving manifestation comprising a channel-forming manifestation including a top portion substantially parallel to the shelf and integral with the main plate, and extending outwardly from the front face of the main plate, and a front portion substantially parallel to the main plate and integral with the upper surface of the shelf, so that a garment belt may pass through the channel formed by the top and front portions of the channel-forming manifestation and engage portions of the main plate front face.

According to yet another aspect of the invention there is provided: A combination for assisting a human in carrying an unwieldy and/or heavy object, which comprises: a unitary static structure including: a curved main plate; a garment belt-receiving manifestation associated with the curved main plate; a substantially flat shelf extending substantially perpendicular to the curved main plate; and a garment belt passing through the belt-receiving manifestation for securement around a human's waist so that the shelf extends outwardly from the garment belt for supporting an unwieldy and/or heavy object.

It is the primary object of the present invention to provide a simple, easy-to-construct, versatile, object-supporting assist attachable to a human user's belt. This and other objects of the invention will become clear from the detailed description of the drawings and from the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top front perspective view of an exemplary unitary static structure object-supporting assist according to one aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a view the same as that of FIG. 1 only showing the structure in combination with a garment belt with which the structure is used, the garment belt shown in dotted line;

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the structure of FIGS. 1 & 2;

FIG. 4 is a left side view of the structure of FIGS. 1-3;

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the structure of FIGS. 1-4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the structure of FIGS. 1-5 in use on a human user, and

FIG. 7 is substantially the same as FIG. 6 only with an object carried by the human user shown in dotted line.

 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A unitary static (i. e. no moving parts) structure according to the invention is shown generally by reference numeral 10 in the drawings. The static structure 10 comprises a main plate 12, a garment belt (G—see FIGS. 2, 6 & 7)—receiving manifestation, shown generally at 14, associated with the main plate 12, and a shelf 16 extending substantially perpendicular to the main plate 12, the shelf 16 having a substantially flat upper surface 18 (FIGS. 1, 2, & 6) and a lower surface 20 (FIGS. 4 & 5). Desirably at least one support (shown as a pair of spaced gussets 22 in FIGS. 4 & 5) is connected between the shelf 16 lower surface 20 and the main plate 12.

Desirably, the unitary static structure 10 is formed by a single piece of rigid plastic (e. g. by injection molding), such as one selected from the group consisting essentially of glass-filled polypropylene, ABS, and glass filled nylon, although other materials and construction techniques may be used. As seen in all of the drawing figures, the main plate 12 desirably has a slight curvature (see C in FIG. 5), to roughly correspond to the front of a human's torso (see H in FIGS. 6 & 7), although in some circumstances the plate 12 can be substantially flat. The degree of curvature C illustrated in FIG. 5 may be about 45-60 degrees (most desirably about 52°).

The garment belt-receiving manifestation 14 may comprise a pair of spaced apertures (such as elements 6 in US 2007/0017945) or a belt clip (such as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 10,640,320). However, the preferred construction, which has a number of advantages, including allowing the garment belt G to engage the front face 24 of the main plate 12 to more securely hold the plate 12 in place on the front torso of a human user H (see FIGS. 6 & 7), is seen most clearly in FIGS. 1, 2 & 4. In this preferred, advantageous, embodiment the main plate 12 preferably has the front face 24 from which the shelf 16 extends and a rear face 26 (see FIGS. 3 & 5), and the garment belt-receiving manifestation 14 comprises a channel-forming manifestation (the channel indicated by reference numeral 28 and most clearly seen in FIGS. 1 & 4) including a top portion 30 substantially parallel to the shelf 16 and integral with the main plate 12 and extending outwardly from the front face 24 thereof, and a front portion 32 substantially parallel to the main plate 12 and integral with the top portion 30 and the substantially flat shelf upper surface 18, so that a garment belt G may pass through the channel 28 formed by the top and front portions 30, 32, respectively, of the channel-forming manifestation 14 and securely engage portions of the main plate front face 24 (see FIGS. 2 & 6).

Desirably, the main plate 12 is discontinuous opposite the channel-forming manifestation front portion 32, defining an open area (35, seen in FIG. 3) in the main plate 12 substantially the same size as the front portion 32 of the channel-forming manifestation 14. This open area 35 not only reduces the amount of material necessary to form the structure 10 but under some circumstances can receive a buckle, snaps, VELCRO strips, or other attachments for the ends of the garment belt G, although the belt end attachments may be provided on a side of the human user H.

In a preferred embodiment, in order to provide optimum functionality of the structure 10, the main plate 12 has a width 37 (see FIG. 3) preferably of about 8-10 inches (most desirably about 8.5-9.0 inches) and a height 38 (see FIG. 3) preferably of about 4-7 inches (most desirably about 5-6 inches), and the shelf 16 has a length 40 (see FIG. 1) preferably of about 1.5-3 inches (most desirably about 2-2.5 inches) and a width 41 substantially the same as the width 37 of the main plate 12 (see FIG. 1). Also, the channel 28 preferably has a height 43 (see FIG. 4) of about 2-4 inches (most desirably about 2.5-3 inches) and a thickness 44 (FIG. 4) preferably of about 0.1-0.4 inches (most desirably about 0.2-0.3 inches).

As used herein the term “substantially perpendicular” means (for example with respect to the main plate 12 and the shelf 16) that two elements make an angle of about 85°-95° with respect to each other, preferably about or exactly 90°.

FIGS. 6 & 7 show the unitary static structure 10 according to the invention fastened to the front torso of a human user H, using a garment belt G, and supporting an unwieldy and/or heavy object shown in dotted line at 50 in FIG. 7. The structure 10 thus provides an excellent assist to the human user H in carrying the object 50 so that he/she need not use his/her arms and hands alone to carry the object 50.

The invention is to be interpreted so that all possible individual ranges within a broad range are specifically included herein. Also, while the invention has been herein shown and described in what is presently conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment thereof it is to be understood that many modifications may be made within the scope of the invention, which scope is only to be limited by the appended claims and the prior art.

Claims

1. A unitary static structure comprising:

a main plate having a width;
a garment belt-receiving manifestation associated with said main plate; and
a shelf consisting of a single element extending substantially perpendicular to said main plate and extending substantially the entire width thereof and having a substantially flat upper surface and a lower surface, said main plate, manifestation, and single shelf comprising a unitary static structure.

2. A unitary static structure as recited in claim 1 formed by a single piece of rigid injection molded plastic.

3. A unitary static structure as recited in claim 2 wherein said rigid plastic is selected from the group consisting essentially of glass-filled polypropylene, ABS, and glass-filled nylon.

4. A unitary static structure as recited in claim 2 further comprising at least one support extending between said main plate and said lower surface of said shelf.

5. A unitary static structure as recited in claim 1 wherein said main plate has a front face from which said shelf extends and a rear face; and wherein said belt-receiving manifestation comprises a channel-forming manifestation including a top portion substantially parallel to said substantially flat shelf upper surface and integral with said main plate and extending outwardly from said front face of said main plate, and a front portion substantially parallel to said main plate and integral with said top portion and said shelf upper surface, so that a garment belt may pass through the channel formed by said top and front portions of said channel-forming manifestation and engage portions of said main plate front face.

6. A unitary static structure as recited in claim 5 wherein said main plate is discontinuous opposite said channel-forming manifestation front portion, defining an open area in said main plate substantially the same size as said front portion of said channel-forming manifestation.

7. A unitary static structure as recited in claim 1 wherein said main plate has a width of approximately 8-10 inches and a height of approximately 4-7 inches, and wherein said shelf has a length of approximately 1½-3 inches and a width of approximately 8-10 inches.

8. A unitary static structure as recited in claim 5 wherein said channel has a height of approximately 2-4 inches and a thickness of approximately 0.1-0.4 inches.

9. A unitary static structure as recited in claim 1 further comprising at least one support connected between said single shelf lower surface and said main plate and wherein said single shelf is continuous and unapertured.

10. A unitary static structure as recited in claim 1 wherein said main plate has a curvature generally corresponding to the front torso of a human being.

11. A unitary static structure as recited in claim 2 wherein said main plate has a curvature generally corresponding to the front torso of a human being.

12. A unitary static structure as recited in claim 11 further comprising at least one supporting gusset connected between said shelf lower surface and said main plate.

13. A unitary static structure as recited in claim 12 wherein said main plate has a width of approximately 8-10 inches and a height of approximately 4-7 inches, and wherein said shelf has a length of approximately 1½-3 inches and a width of approximately 8-10 inches and is continuous and unapertured.

14. A unitary static structure as recited in claim 13 wherein said main plate has a front face from which said shelf extends and a rear face; and wherein said belt-receiving manifestation comprises a channel-forming manifestation including a top portion substantially parallel to said shelf and integral with said main plate and extending outwardly from said front face of said main plate, and a front portion substantially parallel to said main plate and integral with said top portion and said shelf upper surface, so that a garment belt may pass through the channel formed by said top and front portions of said channel-forming manifestation and engage portions of said main plate front face; and wherein said main plate is discontinuous opposite said channel-forming manifestation front portion, defining an open area in said main plate substantially the same size as said front portion of said channel-forming manifestation.

15. An object-supporting assist comprising: a main plate having a front face and a rear face; a shelf extending substantially perpendicular to said main plate and having an upper surface and a lower surface; and a garment belt-receiving manifestation comprising a channel-forming manifestation including a top portion substantially parallel to said shelf and integral with said main plate, and extending outwardly from said front face of said main plate, and a front portion substantially parallel to said main plate and integral with said upper surface of said shelf, so that a garment belt may pass through the channel formed by said top and front portions of said channel-forming manifestation and engage portions of said main plate front face.

16. An object-supporting assist as recited in claim 15 wherein said main plate is discontinuous opposite said channel-forming manifestation front portion defining an open area in said main plate substantially the same size as said front portion of said channel-forming manifestation.

17. An object-supporting assist as recited in claim 16 wherein said main plate has a curvature generally corresponding to the front torso of a human being, and further comprising at least one supporting gusset connected between said shelf lower surface and said main plate.

18. In combination:

a unitary static structure for assisting a human in carrying an unwieldy and/or heavy object including: a curved main plate having a width; a garment belt-receiving manifestation associated with said curved main plate; and a single substantially flat upper surface shelf extending substantially perpendicular to said curved main plate and extending substantially the entire width thereof;
a garment belt passing through said garment belt-receiving manifestation for securement around a human's waist so that said shelf extends outwardly from said belt for supporting an unwieldy and/or heavy object; and
an unwieldy and/or heavy object supported by said single substantially flat shelf upper surface.

19. A combination as recited in claim 18 wherein said main plate has a width of approximately 8-10 inches and a height of approximately 4-7 inches, and wherein said single shelf is continuous and unapertured and has a length of approximately 1½-3 inches and a width of approximately 8-10 inches; and wherein said main plate has a curvature generally corresponding to the front torso of a human being.

20. A combination as recited in claim 19 further comprising a pair of spaced supporting gussets integral with said main plate and said shelf.

Patent History
Publication number: 20220265033
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 19, 2021
Publication Date: Aug 25, 2022
Inventor: Ferdianant Kumria (Holland Landing)
Application Number: 17/300,033
Classifications
International Classification: A45F 5/02 (20060101);