AU2647301A - Support apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

Name of Applicant: Leonard Geoffrey Revill Actual Inventor: Leonard Geoffrey Revill Address for Service: MADDERNS, 1st Floor, 64 Hindmarsh Square, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia Invention title: SUPPORT APPARATUS Details of Associated Provisional Application Nos: PQ 6189 dated 14 March 2000 and PR 2965 dated 9 h February 2001.

The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me.

method of performing it known to me.

PatAU131 Technical field This invention relates to a support arrangement especially useful for support by a user of a bag for holding fruit or vegetables upon these being picked.

Background of the Invention It is currently known to support a picker's bag which projects in use forwardly from the picker from about the waist of the picker and is supported in this position by having a strap extending around a respective shoulder of the user extending and being secured at a forwardmost portion of the bag or a supporting frame for the bag.

Such a arrangement applies a forward reaction pressure on each shoulder which is both forwardly and downwardly directed. This can result in injury or occupational fatigue through compressive forces being exerted chiefly in the upper-most thoracic Sand mid lumbar spine.

This invention proposes several alternative arrangements which provide significant 0 advantages over existing arrangements.

o:o•• Summary of the Invention In its broadest form, the present invention provides an apparatus for supporting a load about a wearer of the apparatus, the apparatus including a body engagement means for attaching the apparatus to the body of a wearer, a load supporting means operatively connected to the body engagement means for supporting the load about the wearer, and a load counteracting means for counteracting the force of the load and applying the force to selected parts of the wearer's body.

Preferably, the load supporting means projects forwardly from the wearer to support a load in front of the wearer.

Preferably, the load counteracting means extends upwards and behind the wearer to press against the wearer's back, in use.

The body engagement means is preferably adapted to engage the wearers body at or about the wearers hips.

Optionally, the load supporting means and the load counteracting means form a frame, and the frame is secured to the body engaging means by an arrangement that allows relative pivotal movement between the two.

Preferably, an open topped bag or container is attached to the load supporting means.

Preferably, the body engaging means consists of a belt which is worn about the wearer's hips, and is adjustable in circumference to suit the wearer.

The belt may be shaped to generally match the shape of the wearer's hips, to more 15 evenly distribute the weight of the apparatus and the load about the wearer's hips.

Advantageously, the bottom of the bag or container is able to be opened to release the contents therein.

ooeeo In a second aspect of the present invention, the point of pivotal movement between e the frame and the body engagement means is adjustable.

Preferably, the apparatus includes retaining means for holding a lid of the bag or container open at a desired degree.

The position and/or orientation of the load supporting means may be adjusted with respect to the wearer to adjust the amount of torque experienced by the wearer.

The load counteracting part may include a shoulder/back harness.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the apparatus includes one or more thigh engagement means to be secured to one or more of the wearer's thighs to act as the load counteracting means.

The load support means may be adapted to operatively engage and support a live load.

While the frame in a preferred arrangement may be a unitary structure, portions can be separately movable relative one to the other and some parts can move either pivotally or slidably with respect to others whilst still providing the overall effect.

Brief Description of the Drawings The invention will be described in more detail with reference to the following S drawings in which: Fig 1 is a perspective view of a support arrangement together with a picker's bag according to a first aspect of the present invention, the view being a perspective view from above and from the front; Fig 2 is a view of the same embodiment as in Fig 1 from behind; Fig 3 is a side elevation of the same unit as in Figs 1 and 2 when being worn by a user, the position being shown when the user is standing straight; .:00oi Fig 4 illustrates how the support arrangement according to the first aspect can pivot around a body support belt when, for instance, the user is to step up a ladder; Fig 5 is the illustration in mannequin form of a frame according to the first aspect, showing a pivot support position relative to the user and the two other portions of the frame in their relative position with respect to the body of the user; Fig 6 is a front perspective view of the invention according to a second aspect of the invention; Fig 7 is a rear perspective view of the apparatus of Fig 6; Fig 8 is a front perspective view of the apparatus of Fig 6 with the bag support in an upright position; Fig 9 is a rear perspective view of the apparatus of Fig 8; Fig 10 is a front perspective view of an apparatus according to a third aspect of the invention; S 1 Fig 11 is a rear perspective view of the apparatus of Fig Fig 12 is a rear view of an apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the present invention; o• Fig 13 shows an apparatus according to a fifth aspect of the present invention; Fig 14 is a rear view of the apparatus of Fig 13; Fig 15 shows an apparatus according to a sixth aspect of the present invention; and ooooo Fig 16 shows a modified form of the apparatus of figure Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment Referring in detail to Figs 1 to 5, the frame 1 is formed from tubular metal such as tubular aluminium and is shaped so as to be generally in side elevation of L-shape with a reaction part 2 extending to the rear and behind a person, and a bag support part 3 which is arranged to be forwardly projecting with relation to a user and from about a waist high position.

The frame 1 overall is supported by being attached to a body engaging belt 4 which is the body engaging means.

The belt 4 is made from two parts 5 and 6 shown in Figure 2 which are joined together at a back by two adjustable straps 7 and 8 and at a front by adjustable straps 9.

In this way, the substantial width of the parts 5 and 6 can be adjusted in position so as to provide a somewhat tapering shape which can then be moulded and shaped to conform to the hips of a user.

Further adjustment straps at 10, on the one side, and 11 on the other, assist for this S shaping of the belt 4.

The function of this belt 4, however, being a body engaging member is to provide a .i support for a pivot connection for the frame 1.

ooooo :::This is achieved by having at each side in relation to the frame 1, a loop shown at 12 in the one case and 13 in the other and there being a belt 14 which engages over and S is adjustably secured to the loop 12 on the one case and the strap 15 engages the loop 13 on the other.

Such an interconnection provides both lifting support for the frame 1 but at the same time, allows for relative pivotal freedom about a limited range of movement of the frame relative to the belt 4.

This then allows for any weight pulling down on the forwardly projecting part of the frame, for instance, the bag support part 3, to result in a relative forward pressure of the reaction part 2.

This reaction part 2 shown in Figure 1 is formed by having the two legs 17 and 18 of the frame 1 extending upwardly and slightly inwardly tapering, and two cross links 19 and 20 joining these and a stretched web 21 engaging between all parts so as to provide both a soft yet relatively stronger reaction pad area 22 which will react under pressure against the uppermost thoracic area of a user.

It has been found in practice that such an arrangement, which is fundamentally different from systems previously proposed, provides a different system of forces and can be tolerated by a user somewhat more easily in many cases than the existing traditional system.

While providing the support as described, there is nonetheless, the freedom for the frame 1 to rotate in an approximate 100/600 arc as shown in Fig 4 in which the Sreaction part can be pushed back from the user but this then allows for relative 15 freedom of the knee shown typically at 25 of a user 26 to be able to have sufficient room to be useful.

This view in Fig 4 shows more specifically how the frame 1 will pivot about the belt 4 S even though the joint itself achieves its pivotal freedom by a strap passing through a loop.

The bag 30 as shown in Figures 1 and 3 is supported by uppermost loops shown typically at 31 with a bottom open part 32 being held in a closed position by interlock catches 33.

The front of the frame 1 includes a sleeve 34 which allows the two ends of the frame shown at 35 and 36 to be adjustably located laterally within the sleeve 34 at a fixed position by having a button interlocking with a respective aperture shown typically at 37.

This then allows a user to adjust the frame both in relation to the size of the bag, and to his or her body size.

A handle 38 is provided for the assistance of the user to lift the bag in appropriate occasions.

What has been described illustrates a different system by which a heavy weight which appropriately is to be located at a forwardly extending position of a user, can be supported in a better way.

The reaction part can be located in a most convenient way and acts more directly where stronger muscles exist in the body of a user.

What has not been shown but are considered to be useful, are arrangements for further adjustments in relation to the frame including a height adjustment for the S reaction part 2, and there also can be a pivot connection on each side of the pivotally extending support part 3 with relation to a more rearward portion of the frame with the pivot arrangement allowing for lifting of the support part but stopping any lowering of this below an approximately horizontal orientation when a user is in a standing upright position.

While the frame itself is comprised in the main of two parts joined at the rear by cross links forming the reaction part, and at a front by being inserted within an adjustably positioned sleeve, there can be other configurations of frames still achieving the objects of this invention, and using the principles described above.

Some of these configurations are now described in further detail, with reference to Figs 6 to The apparatus according to a second aspect of the invention is shown in Fig 6, in which like elements are numbered accordingly. Main frame 1 is shown supporting bag support part 3, in turn, supporting bag 30. In this embodiment, the pivot means described above is replaced in part by a plate 39 having a plurality of apertures for receiving a pin 40 of frame 1. Plate 39 is attached to the body engaging means 4, and can be of any suitable material including leather or steel. Plate 39 allows the apparatus to be more conveniently located on the wearer's hips, allowing the height of the apparatus to be selected by the user to suit his or her size, thus affecting the pivot point about which the apparatus may pivot.

In this embodiment, bag support part 30 is comprised of a separate part to frame 1, and is pivotally attached thereto by brackets 41. Bag support part 3 frames a lid of the bag 30, while a secondary bag support part 3a provides support for bag Straps 42 are attached at one end to frame 1 and at the other end to bag support part 3. Each of straps 42 having a plurality of apertures 42a for connection to a connection point 3b on bag support part 3. The function of this will be described in more detail below with reference to Figs 8 and 9. It will also be seen from Fig 6 that reaction pad area 22 of Figs 1 to 5 has been replaced by a modified form 22a. Fig 7 shows the same S apparatus but from a rear view and showing left hand side plate 39 and :°eooo corresponding receiving pin 40. In Fig 6, it can be seen that bag 30 has a lower flap 30b which in use, is hooked to bag support frame 3a. This forms the bottom of bag 30. When bag 30 is full of fruit that has just been picked, the emptying of bag 30 is facilitated by unclipping flap 30b thus causing the bottom of bag 30 to open, allowing the collected fruit to be deposited into a crate or other convenient receptacle.

S" Turning now to Fig 8, the function of straps 42 is clearly seen. Effectively, straps 42 •go.

provide a support means for maintaining the bag lid 30a in the desired position. The desired incline of lid 30a is maintained by the effective length of straps 42. This length is determined by which apertures 42a receive supporting pin 3b. In this particular configuration (Fig straps 42 may equally be wrapped around frame 3, which in this figure, is shown having a slightly different configuration to that shown in Fig 6. Nevertheless, the principles are the same in that frame 3 is pivotally connected to frame 1 and is able to be raised or lowered and maintained there by straps 42. In use, in the open position, lid 30a can act as a backboard to allow picked fruit to be rebounded off the inner face of lid 30a and into open bag 30. This can facilitate in the increased speed of picking the fruit as the picker does not need to throw the picked fruit directly into the open bag 30. Fig 9 shows the same apparatus with the bag lid 30a in an open position, but from a left rear view.

A third aspect of the present invention is shown in Figs 10 and 11. In this embodiment, bag support frame 3 is fixed in a desired position, the degree of incline being determined by the position of plate 3d relative to receiving pin 40, which is also received by plate 39. Bag support frame 3 pivots about an aperture in plate 3c, through which is received a pivot pin 40a. This arrangement provides for the torque produced about the user, to be adjusted to suit the user's form.

Fig 11 shows the rear view of this same embodiment, showing corresponding plates 3b, 3c and pivot point 40a on the left hand side of the apparatus.

A further variation of the invention in accordance with a fourth aspect is shown in g.o• Fig 12, where main frame 1 has been removed completely. Body engagement means ~4 with corresponding adjustment straps 7 and 8 provide the main source of support for this version. Reaction part 2 has been replaced by a brace 2a which is fitted around the wearer's shoulders. Adjusting strap 43 is provided to conform brace 2a to oooo• the particular individual. The weight of bag 30 is then taken up by straps 44 connected at one end to brace 2a at a part corresponding to the front of the shoulder S"of the wearer, and at the other end, to bag support part 3. This provides yet another arrangement in which the weight of bag 30 can be supported in a more ergonomic manner by the wearer. Again, the provision of apertures 44a allows the height of bag relative to the user to be appropriately adjusted.

A further modification of the apparatus is shown in Figs 13 and 14 where engagement means 4 is again the main source of support of the bag to the wearer. In this arrangement however, reaction support part 2 (and 2a for Fig 12) has been replaced by thigh engagement means 2b. Thus, instead of a reaction force being provided by the back of the user, the reaction force is this time provided by the thighs of the user. Other elements of the apparatus including plate 39 and corresponding adjustment apertures to receive pin 40 are also present to conveniently adjust the apparatus for the given wearer.

Thigh engagement means 2b may be conveniently attached to each thigh of the wearer by any appropriate means. As illustrated, clips 45 have been used with corresponding adjustment straps 46, however, any other convenient method such as VELCROTM may be used.

A rear view showing the corresponding left hand side of the apparatus is shown in Fig 14.

A further modification to the apparatus using the arrangement of Figs 13 and 14 is shown in Fig 15. In this arrangement, there is provided a support brace for e Ssupporting any other heavy work tool such as a brushcutter or slasher. Again, the 15 body engagement means 4 is present, as are thigh engagement means 2b. Support arm 46 is attached to the apparatus and in use, projects forwardly to the side of the wearer. Support arm 46 has attachment hook 47 on which may be hooked the heavy apparatus for use by the wearer. This arrangement removes the requirement of the wearer of having to support the weight of the tool in the conventional manner by arm and/or shoulder harness alone. This arrangement effectively allows the waist and thighs of the user to support the actual weight of the tool, allowing the wearer to simply direct the tool as required. This provides important safety advantages both in reducing rotational spinal flexion and underflexion fatigue in the upper torso and limbs, and increases the control with which the wearer can operate the tool, since the wearer need not concentrate on bearing the full weight of the load with his arms and can concentrate more fully on directional control.

A modified form of this embodiment is shown in figure 16, in which like elements are labelled accordingly.

This description has provided a number of variations of the apparatus in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. It will be understood however that 11 many other variations and modifications are possible within the scope of the present invention.

V,

Claims (21)

1. A support apparatus for supporting a load about a wearer of the apparatus, the apparatus including: a body engagement means for attaching the apparatus to the body of the wearer; a load supporting means rigidly connected to the body engagement means for support the load; and a load counteracting means for counteracting the force of the load by applying at least a portion of that force to one or more selected body parts of the wearers body.

2. A support apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said load supporting means projects forwardly from the wearer to support a load in front of the wearer.

3. A support apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the load counteracting means extends upwards and behind the wearer to press against the wearer's back, in use. ooooo

4. A support apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the body engagement means is adapted to engage the wearer's body at or about the wearer's hips.

A support apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the load supporting means and the load counteracting means form a frame, and wherein the frame is secured to the body engaging means by an arrangement that allows relative pivotal movement between the two.

6. A support apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein an open topped bag or container is attached to the load supporting means.

7. A support apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the body engaging means consists of a belt which is worn about the wearer's hips, and is adjustable in circumference to suit the wearer.

8. A support apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the belt is shaped to generally match the shape of the wearer's hips, to more evenly distribute the weight of the apparatus and the load about the wearer's hips.

9. A support apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the bottom of the bag or container is able to be opened to release the contents therein.

A support apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 9, wherein the point of pivotal movement between the frame and the body engagement means is adjustable. .oo,

11. A support apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 10, wherein the •i apparatus includes retaining means for holding a lid of the bag or container open at a desired degree. o:oo•

12. A support apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the position and/or orientation of the load supporting means can be adjusted with respect to the wearer to adjust the amount of torque experienced by the wearer.

13. A support apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the load counteracting part includes shoulder/back harness.

14. A support apparatus according to any one of claims 1, 2 and 4 to 12, wherein said apparatus includes one or more thigh engagement means to be secured to one or more of the wearers thighs.

A support apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the load support means is adapted to operatively engage and support a power tool.

16. A support apparatus substantially as herein described with referenced to Figures 1 to

17. A support apparatus substantially as herein described with referenced to Figures 6 to 9.

18. A support apparatus substantially as herein described with referenced to Figures 10 and 11.

19. A support apparatus substantially as herein described with referenced to Figure 12.

20. A support apparatus substantially as herein described with referenced to Figures 13 and 14. o

21. A support apparatus substantially as herein described with referenced to Figures 15 and 16. o Dated this 13 th day of March, 2001. S LEONARD GEOFFREY REVILL By his Patent Attorneys SMADDERNS 2