Package and article carriers – Carried by animate bearer – Flaccid attaching means looped around neck or crossing shoulder
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-07
2001-03-13
Vidovich, Gregory M. (Department: 3727)
Package and article carriers
Carried by animate bearer
Flaccid attaching means looped around neck or crossing shoulder
C224S637000, C224S641000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06199732
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to systems for supporting various loads on a user's back. In particular, the present invention relates to a load support system and a load support mounting device that supports loads on a user's back while better accommodating the user's natural movement.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Load support systems are commonly used by campers, scuba divers, camera operators and students to support loads such as camping equipment, diving equipment, camera equipment or various items in a receptacle on the user's back. Such load support systems typically include a load support which carries the equipment or items and which is supported adjacent the user's back. To enable the load support to be supported adjacent to the user's back, the load support includes a back panel which is connected directly or indirectly to shoulder straps. Some load support systems additionally include a waist belt connected to the back panel.
Despite the numerous different types of load support systems commonly used for supporting such various loads on the user's back, such load support systems are uncomfortable to wear. This is largely due to the failure of current load support systems to adequately accommodate the to-and-fro natural movement of the user during walking or hiking. Such systems also fail to comfortably transmit loads to the user without creating user fatigue.
Thus, there is a continuing need for a load support system that effectively transmits loads to the user without creating user fatigue and that accommodates the user's natural movement during walking or hiking.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a load support system for carrying a load on a user's back includes a load support, first and second user engaging surfaces, and first and second arms extending between the load support and the first and second user-engaging surfaces, respectively. The load support includes a back panel configured to extend substantially parallel to the user's mid-coronal plane when worn. The first and second user-engaging surfaces are configured to engage the user on opposite sides of the user's mid-sagital plane when worn. The first and second arms are coupled to the back panel at first and second spaced locations along a first axis on opposite sides of the user's mid-sagital plane. The first arm has a first end pivotally coupled to the back panel about a second axis oblique to the first axis and oblique to a transverse plane of the user. The first arm further includes a second end coupled to the first user-engaging surface. The second arm has a third end pivotally coupled to the body about a third axis oblique (i.e. not parallel and not perpendicular) to the first axis and oblique to the transverse plane of the user. The second arm further includes a fourth end coupled to the second user-engaging surface.
The present invention also provides a load support mounting device that includes a body adapted to be coupled to the load support, first and second user-engaging surfaces and first and second arms coupled to the body at first and second spaced locations along an axis. The first arm has a first end pivotally coupled to the body about a second axis oblique to the first axis and a second end coupled to the first user-engaging surface. The second arm has a third end pivotally coupled to the body about a third axis oblique to the first axis and a second end coupled to the second user-engaging surface.
The present invention provides a load support system for supporting a load on a user's back. The load support system includes a load support, a waist belt configured to encircle a waist of the user and first and second arms extending between the load support and the waist belt. The load support includes a back panel configured to extend substantially parallel to the user's mid-coronal plane and across opposite sides of the user's mid-sagital plane when worn by the user. The first and second arms are coupled to the back panel along a first axis and on opposite sides of the user's mid-sagital plane. The first arm has a first end pivotably coupled to the back panel about a second axis oblique to the user's mid-transverse plane and a second end pivotably coupled to the waist belt. The second arm has a third end pivotably coupled to the back panel about a third axis oblique to the user's mid-transverse plane and a fourth end coupled to the waist belt.
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Foley & Lardner
Johnson Outdoors Inc.
Vidovich Gregory M.
LandOfFree
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