AU2005201655B2 - Apparatus for carrying heavy loads - Google Patents

Description

Pool Section 29 Regulation 3.2(2) AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Application Number: Lodged: Invention Title: Apparatus for carrying heavy loads The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me: 1 APPARATUS FOR CARRYING THINGS FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to lifting and transporting goods by use of human labour, and particularly relates to lifting and transportation of heavy 5 or awkward loads. In one particular application, the present invention is suitable for use in harvesting fresh produce, especially heavy and/or large produce items such as banana bunches freshly cut from the tree. It will be convenient to hereinafter describe the invention in relation to that application; however, it should be 10 appreciated that the present invention is not limited to that application only. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Many labour intensive industries require a person to lift and carry heavy and/or awkward loads manually, in situations where it is not practicable or desirable to automate transport processes, or where the capital costs of such 15 processes are prohibitive. This has traditionally been time consuming and has often resulted in workers being injured, with resultant loss of productivity, pain and long term medical problems. Other negative effects include costs to the employer and to the industry in general, as well as great difficulties in recruiting and retaining 20 workers. The shape and weight of particular goods influence the way they are carried by people. This in turn influences the effect carrying the goods has on the human body. In some situations, the goods being carried are simply hoisted over the worker's shoulder, unbalancing the worker and placing uneven strain on neck, 25 back, and indeed the entire body. The worker is bent over, both forward and sideways, attempting to hoist and carry the heavy load. In this and similar situations, the health and safety of the worker is adversely affected, particularly where the load is heavy and/or awkward. A heavy load, distributed improperly or unevenly, day after day, causes stress to the spinal 30 column. Muscle strains are also common and workers often develop a 'bad back'. Furthermore, workers become tired from carrying heavy and or unbalanced/awkward loads all day, causing them to be less productive and the job less attractive to work in.

2 In other situations, the goods individually are not particularly heavy, but are collected into a container which when full is very heavy and/or awkward to carry. If the container is then lifted from the ground using incorrect lifting technique, or the person attempts to carry it mainly in one hand, back injuries may result. 5 Even where immediate acute back injuries are not apparent, long term damage including osteoarthritis, degeneration of the spine (scoliosis), muscle and tissue damage may result from repeated carrying. It is therefore desirable to provide an apparatus which reduces the risk of injury to a worker. 10 Any discussion of documents, devices, acts or knowledge in this specification is included to explain the context of the invention. It should not be taken as an admission that any of the material formed part of the prior art base or the common general knowledge in the relevant art in Australia on or before the priority date of the claims herein. 15 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a load carrying apparatus. The apparatus includes a load supporting container and a frame for reinforcing the container, the container and/or frame being connected to a harness which in use is worn by a person carrying the load such that the centre of gravity of the load is located 20 adjacent the person's spinal column, the harness including shoulder straps, a hip belt, and a lumbar support pad slideably connected to the frame or container, wherein the container includes a back portion and a tray portion to facilitate loading and unloading. Preferably, the container is located level with or above the height of the hip 25 belt. As the lumbar support pad is slideably connected to the frame, or to the container, the harness can be adjusted to suit persons of different heights and body type. Preferably, the harness shoulder straps are connected to the lumbar 30 support pad and are adjustably connected to the frame, the lumbar support pad in turn being connected to the hip belt via an adjustable strap. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus further includes stabilising handle(s), whereby application of force on the handle(s) causes rotation of the 3 container relative to the person, enabling a back portion of the container to be aligned with the person's spine. The handles may be extensions of the frame, located at the top or bottom of the harness. Alternately, the handles may be straps connected to the frame and/or container at shoulder height, which, when 5 pulled upon, causes the top of the container to rotate towards the person, enabling adjustment of the vertical alignment of the container. It is desirable to align the container approximately parallel to the person's spine, as this reduces the risk of back and other injuries to the person. In a preferred embodiment, the container has an open front and top to 10 facilitate loading. More preferably, the tray portion connects to the back portion at an angle of less than 90 degrees, whereby the angle created ensures that the load will tend to move towards the person's spinal column. The container may further include a primary belt, which, in use, extends around the load to be carried, thereby securing the load to the container, and a 15 secondary belt, located at the top of the container, which, in use, extends around an upper portion of the load to be carried, thereby further securing the load. Preferably, the primary belt includes two overlapping straps, releasably secured to each other by use of hook and loop fastening tape. The secondary belt may also be of this style, or may consist of a webbing strap with adjustable 20 buckle, or other suitable fastening means. In a preferred embodiment, the container, in use, supports a bunch of bananas; the container back portion having a bracket, curved around a vertical axis, for supporting the bunch of bananas; the bunch of bananas being loaded with its stem at the top; the primary belt extending around the bunch of bananas 25 and the secondary belt extending around the stem. Preferably, the tray portion of the container has holes for drainage. Preferably, the container is manufactured from one or more of lightweight plastic, aluminium, stainless steel or titanium. It is also preferred that the container is padded so as not to bruise the load, for example, bananas. 30 Advantageously, an apparatus according to the invention may be utilised in a variety of situations and industries. By ensuring the load is evenly balanced 3a and stable, a person is able to carry even a heavy load with reduced risk of injury. The load is held close to the body so that the moment arm of the load does not increase the force against which the muscles must work, or unbalance the person. This also allows the load to be carried by the strongest parts of the body, 5 which are working in an accustomed direction. Hence, the load is distributed 4 between the hips via the waist harness, and the shoulders via the shoulder harness. Some of the weight is also carried by the front of the body, for example, through the chest. The weight is evenly balanced between the left and right sides of the body, as well as distributed through different parts of the body. 5 Use of the apparatus allows the wearer to walk more freely and to carry loads for longer periods of time. The adjustable harness ensures that people of many different builds may be accommodated. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other features and advantages of one or more preferred embodiments of 10 the present invention will be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from the following written description with reference to and, used in conjunction with, the accompanying drawings, in which: Figures 1 to 9 show various embodiments of a container according to preferred embodiments of the present invention; 15 Figures 10 shows an embodiment of the present invention Figure 11 show another embodiment of a container according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 12 shows another embodiment of the present invention Figures 13a to 13g show perspective views of a particularly preferred 20 embodiment of the invention. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Apparatus according to preferred embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below. Figures 1 to 9 and 11 show embodiments of a container, parts of an 25 embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention. Figures 10 and 12 show further embodiments of an apparatus according to the invention. The overall weight of the container is minimised and yet is strong enough to withstand heavy loads or impacts. The height 2 and width 3 are in balance with the height and width of the harness 8. 30 The container is attached to the harness in a special way using webbing strap material such that the load is centred and evened out and the centre of gravity (weight of container plus contents and harness) is as close as possible to the spine. The container is positioned above the hip belt 11 a so that everything is 5 stable and the counter-balancing motion through distance 4 (perpendicular to the body) of the loaded container is minimised to allow effective carrying of the load. The webbing is attached through carefully positioned and cut slits 5 (see Figures 2, 3, 4, 6, 8 & 9) in the container which are then connected onto the 5 harness 8 as shown in Figure 10. The container may be shaped and styled to allow (refer Figures 3, 4, 7, 8 & 11) the carrying of goods which are more bulky, awkwardly shaped such that these goods can be easily put in and taken out of the container without undue effort. Figure 11 depicts the container padded 12 on various of its parts to avoid 10 damage to goods prone to bruising, etc. To minimise movement of such products a compression strap or padded belt 6 may be located and connected at/to the top of the harness 8 and/or through the top part of the container (see Figures 4 & 8) secures such products at the top. Figure 9 depicts the various positions of the slits for the compression straps to go through 7. The strap material is the same 15 webbing as that connecting the container to the harness. The harness is made of light-weight material complete with padded shoulder 9 and sternum 10 straps and padded hip belt (and lumbar support pad) 11 b which are attached to the harness and are adjustable. Figure 12 depicts the container and harness attached together and also shows a variation of the 20 harness namely two stabilising hand straps 13 specially shaped and positioned to help the person stabilise movement of the device on the body and the load carried. The container can be made of plastics (e.g. polyethylene, abs, pvc, polypropylene and others as well as aluminium, stainless-steel, titanium, metal 25 and plastic meshes). The harness can be made of a range of materials including aluminium, steel and wood. The webbing material has been selected of a specific size and strength to accommodate the purposes for which it needs to be used in conjunction with the container and the harness. The webbing can be made from leather, synthetics, 30 natural fibres and can be varied in shape and size. Figures 13a to 13g show a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, in which like numerals denote like elements. The apparatus shown is especially suited to the transportation of bananas.

6 Referring now to Figures 13a to 13c, in use, the person transporting large bunches of bananas, which may weigh as much as 50kg or more, backs up to a tree while wearing the load carrying apparatus 20. The apparatus 20 includes a load supporting container 22 and a harness 34. 5 A second person cuts the bunch of bananas from the tree, manoeuvring the bunch directly onto the load-supporting container 22. The bunch is easily manoeuvred onto the tray portion 28 of the load supporting container 22, as the container 22 has an open front 23 and top 24. The bunch of bananas is cut from the tree, dropping onto the tray portion 10 28. The tray portion 28 joins the container back portion 26 at an angle of less than 90 degrees and thus is tilted back. This encourages the load to move towards the person's spine, rather than away from the spine. The tray portion has drainage holes 58, so that any water, for example rain, easily drains away and does not collect in the tray. 15 Once the bananas weight is supported by the tray portion 28, primary and secondary belts, 50 and 54, respectively, are then secured around the bunch of bananas. The primary belt 50 consists of two overlapping straps 52, attached at one end to the back portion 28 of the container 22 and releasably attachable to each other through use of hook and loop fastening tape, such as Velcro TM. 20 The primary belt 50 supports the bunch of bananas, preventing it from tipping backwards and unbalancing the person, or from falling off the container 22. By firmly securing the bunch to the container, the centre of gravity of the load is carried as close as possible to the person's spine. This reduces injury risks, particularly when carrying such heavy loads. Preferably, each of the overlapping 25 straps 52 include tags 60, which are easily grasped in order to fasten and unfasten the belt 50. The secondary belt 54 is secured about the stem of the bunch of bananas, further securing the banana bunch to the container 22, and further ensuring that the centre of gravity of the load is as close to the person's spine as possible. In 30 the embodiment shown, the secondary belt 54 is a webbing strap, looped through a buckle enabling the length of the loop to be adjusted as required. The primary belt 50 and secondary belt 54 additionally support the load, preventing sideways movement. This reduces any rocking motion created due to 7 shifting of the load while the person walks. The reduction in such unwanted movement enables the person to have better balance and control of the load, increasing safety. The bunch of bananas is also supported for transport by the curved 5 bracket 56, which assists in stabilising the load from sideways movement. The load supporting container 22 may be provided with padding 62 at various locations, in order to reduce the likelihood of fruit being bruised. The connecting struts 64 also prevent the bananas from falling off sideways. By securing the load against all three axis of rotation, and carrying the load 10 as close as possible to the person's spine, injury risks are minimised. The load is unlikely to shift or thereby unbalance the person carrying the load, enabling that person to move more freely and to carrying heavy loads for a longer period of time, with less risk of long term health damage. A convenient handle 66 is provided on the apparatus for ease of dealing 15 with the apparatus when it is not being worn by a person. Referring now to Figures 13d to 13g, a reinforcing frame 40 is connected to the container 22 and the harness 34. The harness 34 has padded shoulder straps 36, hip belt 38 and lumbar support pad 42. The various straps are adjustable to suit various body types. 20 The lumbar support pad 42 is slideably connected to the container 22, and may move up or down on rail 43. Adjustable strap 44 connects the lumbar support pad 42 to the hip belt 38, and may be adjusted to increase or decrease the distance between the lumbar support pad 42 and the hip belt 38, catering to persons of differing heights. 25 The padded shoulder straps 36 are adjustably connected to the lower end of the frame 40. Adjustable straps 48 connect the shoulder straps 36 to the upper end of the frame 40. By adjusting these straps 48, the distance between the person's shoulders and the container 22 may be changed, in turn changing the angle at which the container back portion 26 is held relative to the person's spine. 30 It is desirable to align the container back portion 26 with the person's spine, both being nearly vertical, in order to place the load centre of gravity as close as possible to the person's spine and thereby minimise injury risks.

8 The padded shoulder straps 36 are also releasably securable to each other, via a sternum strap 37. This strap 37 assists in distributing some of the weight of the load to other parts of the body. Stabilising handle straps 46 are provided. In the preferred embodiment, 5 the handle straps 46 are extensions of the adjustable straps 48 connecting the shoulder straps 36 to the upper end of the frame 40. The handle straps 46 may be pulled to adjust the straps 48 when the apparatus is first put on. Then, when receiving a load of bananas into the container 22, the person may brace the apparatus 20 by pulling the handle straps 46. 10 This prevents the adjustable straps 48 from being adjusted by the impact of the load received into the container 22, preventing the top of the container 22 from being pulled away from the person's spine due to the load of the weight, in turn preventing imbalance. It also provides additional stability around other axis, as well as ensuring the person has braced himself to receive the load. 15 The handle straps can also be used as the person walks, assisting the person to brace the load, particularly upon uneven ground, or if the person should stumble. The immediate control of the load stability reduces the stresses upon the person, as the continuous ability to adjust the balance of the load greatly improves the safety of the person. 20 In other embodiments, not shown, a handle may be provided for this purpose at either the top or bottom of the frame 40. The person may brace the container in the appropriate direction by holding the handles, whilst the bananas are loaded. The apparatus may be provided with accessories such as pouches or 25 pockets for personal items, a knife or other equipment, as well as a drink bottle and holder. The materials used in construction are lightweight but strong. The embodiment shown in Figures 13a to 13g weighs approximately 5kg, but may be used for bunches of bananas of approximately 50kg. The container is 30 constructed from lightweight plastic, the frame from aircraft grade aluminium and the straps from durable webbing. As the present invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit of the essential characteristics of the invention, it should 9 be understood that the above described embodiments are not to limit the present invention unless otherwise specified, but rather should be construed broadly within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims. Various modifications and equivalent arrangements are intended to be 5 included within the spirit and scope of the present invention and appended claims. For example, apparatus according to the invention may be utilised in other fresh produce harvesting situations, for example orchard fruits. Other areas in which apparatus according to the invention may be used include the transport of multiple packs of airline food trays when bringing food service on board the 10 plane.

Claims (14)

1. A load carrying apparatus, the apparatus including a load supporting container and a frame for reinforcing the container, the container and/or frame being connected to a harness which in use is worn by a person carrying the load 5 such that the centre of gravity of the load is located adjacent the person's spinal column, the harness including shoulder straps, a hip belt, and a lumbar support pad slideably connected to the frame or container, wherein the container includes a back portion and a tray portion to facilitate loading and unloading.

2. A load carrying apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims 10 wherein the container is located level with or above the height of the hip belt.

3. A load carrying apparatus according to either claim 1 or 2 wherein the harness shoulder straps are connected to the lumbar support pad and are adjustably connected to the frame, the lumbar support pad in turn being connected to the hip belt via an adjustable strap. 15

4. A load carrying apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the apparatus further includes stabilising handle(s), whereby application of force on the handle(s) causes rotation of the container relative to the person, enabling a back portion of the container to be aligned with the person's spine.

5. A load carrying apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims 20 wherein the tray portion connects to the back portion at an angle of less than 90 degrees, whereby the angle created ensures that the load will tend to move towards the person's spinal column.

6. A load carrying apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the container further includes a primary belt, which, in use, extends 25 around the load to be carried, thereby securing the load to the container. 11

7. A load carrying apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the primary belt includes two overlapping straps, releasably secured to each other by use of hook and loop fastening tape.

8. A load carrying apparatus according to claim 6 or 7 wherein the container 5 further includes a secondary belt, located at the top of the container, which, in use, extends around an upper portion of the load to be carried, thereby further securing the load.

9. A load carrying apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the container, in use, supports a bunch of bananas; the container back portion having a bracket, 10 curved around a vertical axis, for supporting the bunch of bananas; the bunch of bananas being loaded with its stem at the top; the primary belt extending around the bunch of bananas and the secondary belt extending around the stem.

10. A load carrying apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the container has holes for drainage. 15

11. A load carrying apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the container is manufactured from one or more of lightweight plastic, aluminium, stainless steel or titanium.

12. A load carrying apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the container is padded so as not to bruise the load. 20

13. A load carrying apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the embodiments shown in the accompanying Figures 1 to 12.

14. A load carrying apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to the embodiment shown in the accompanying Figures 13a to 13g. GREGORY CHRISTOPHER SOLOWAY WATERMARK PATENT & TRADE MARK ATTORNEYS P25501AUOO