GB2224193A

GB2224193A - A lifting harness

Info

Publication number: GB2224193A
Application number: GB8825042A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Anthony Frederick Bridge
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1988-10-26
Filing date: 1988-10-26
Publication date: 1990-05-02
Also published as: GB8825042D0

Abstract

A lifting harness (2) comprising a shoulder portion (4) for resting on a person's shoulders, a pair of elongate members (6, 8) which hang one from either side of the shoulder portion (4), and fastener means (10, 12) provided on each end of the elongate members (6, 8) remote from the shoulder portion (4), the lifting harness (2) being such that the fastener means (10, 12) enable one or more objects to be lifted to be secured to the elongate members (6, 8) so that a person wearing the lifting harness (2) can lift the one or more objects with the weight of the objects being transferred to the person's shoulders. <IMAGE>

Description

A LIFTING HARNESS This invention relates to a lifting harness.

Objects such for example as suitcases and bags of shopping are often too heavy and/or bulky for persons to carry them other than with a considerable amount of difficulty. Prolonged carrying of such objects can make a person's hands, arms and shoulders ache. Furthermore, a person carrying such objects may often stoop forward which may result in the person developing back trouble.

It is an aim of the present invention to reduce the above mentioned problem.

Accordingly, this invention provides a lifting harness comprising a shoulder portion for resting on a person's shoulders, a pair of elongate members which hang one from either side of the shoulder portion, and fastener means provided on each end of the elongate members remote from the shoulder portion, the lifting harness being such that the fastener means enable one or more objects to be lifted to be secured to the elongate members so that a person wearing the lifting harness can lift the one or more objects with the weight of the objects being transferred to the persons shoulders.

The lifting harness of the present invention can be simply produced, unobtrusive to wear, and easy to put on. With the lifting harness, the weight of the one or more objects will be transferred to the person's shoulders which will enable the person to walk in a relatively easy upright position, thereby reducing the possibility of the person incurring back trouble due to attempting to walk with heavy loads in a stooping or otherwise un-natural position. Furthermore, the fastener means and the elongate members ensure that the person does not have to grip the one or more objects as they are carried and so the person should not develop aching hands, arms and shoulders. The lifting harness may sit snuggly on the person's shoulders, thus enabling the weight of the one or more objects to be transferred to the person's shoulders and thus relatively easily carried.

Preferably, the shoulder portion and the elongate members are made from one or more straps. The shoulder portion and/or the elongate members can be made in other ways if desired.

Preferably, the shoulder portion comprises a pair of arm holes for receiving the arms of the person.

The fastener means may comprise a pair of clips which are provided on the ends of the elongate members.

The clips may be adapted to clip to any part of the lifting harness. Advantageously, the clips are adapted to clip to a part of the harness that is substantially waist high for ease of positioning and carrying the one or more objects.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a first lifting harness; Figure 2 shows a second lifting harness; Figure 3 shows a third lifting harness; and Figure 4 shows a fourth lifting harness.

Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a lifting harness 2 comprising a shoulder portion 4 for resting on a person's shoulders, a pair of elongate members 6sS which hang one from either side of the shoulder portion 4, and fastener means in the form of a pair of clips 10,12.

The clips 10,12 are provided as shown on each end of the elongate members 6, 8 remote from the shoulder portion 4.

The lifting harness 2 is such that the clips 10,12 enable one or more objects to be lifted such for example as bags of shopping or suitcases, to be secured to the elongate members 6, 8. Thus a person wearing the lifting harness 2 can lift the one or more objects with the weight of the one or more objects being transferred to the person's shoulders.

As shown, the shoulder portion 4 and the elongate members 6, 8 are made from straps. The shoulder portion comprises a pair of arm holes 14,16 which are defined by arm hole straps 18,20 respectively. The shoulder portion 4 also has a padded portion 22 where it passes across the nape of a persons neck.

During use of the lifting apparatus 2, the clips and the adjacent ends of the elongate members 6, 8 pass through the handles of suitcases, bags of shopping or the like and then the elongate members 6, 8 are bent back on themselves as shown so that the clips 10,12 can clip to clip receiving members 24,26 as shown. The clip receiving members 24,26 can be simple loops of material or metal rings for receiving the clips 10,12. The clip receiving members 24,26 are arranged to be substantially waist high for ease of positioning and carrying the various desired objects.

Referring now to Figures 2, 3 and 4 similar parts as in Figure 1 have been given the same reference numerals for ease of comparison and understanding.

In Figure 2, the shoulder portion 4 is formed differently than in Figure 1. In Figure 2 the shoulder portion 4 has the arm hole straps 20 and cross-over straps 28,30.

In Figure 3, the cross-over straps 28,50 are employed but they are modified so that they also provide the arm holes 14,16. The elongate members 6, 8 extend upwardly and behind the shoulders and then the cross-over straps 28,30 cross over in front of the person's chest.

In Figure 4, the upper ends of the elongate members 6, 8 loop over as shown to form the arm holes 14,16. The upper ends of the elongate members 6, 8 are secured to a horizontally extending strap member 32. The strap member 32 may be provided with a buckle 34 for enabling the strap member 32 to be a comfortable fit around a person's body.

The lifting harness 2 shown in the drawings can easily be used for persons of all ages to enable objects to be carried without strained arms and backs. It is especially envisaged that the lifting harness 2 will be useful for persons carrying shopping. The lifting harness 2 may be especially useful for housewives, and for elderly and disabled persons. In addition to being easy to use, the lifting harnesses are very light so that they do not add significantly to the weight of an object or objects to be carried. In addition to being used for domestic and pleasure purposes, it is envisaged that the lifting harnesses may be used in industry, for example for lifting various pieces of industrial equipment.

The lifting harness may also be helpful in enabling building materials such for example as beams and posts to be carried.

It is to be appreciated that the embodiments of the invention described above with reference to the accompanying drawings have been given by way of example only and that modifications may be effected. Thus, for example, the lifting harness may have a shoulder portion other than those shown. Also, although the illustrated lifting harnesses are made from straps, other materials may be employed. Any desired and suitable fastener means may be employed for securing the object or objects to be lifted to the lifting harness.

Claims

1. A lifting harness comprising a shoulder portion for resting on a person's shoulders, a pair of elongate members which hang one from either side of the shoulder portion, and fastener means provided on each end of the elongate members remote from the shoulder portion, the lifting harness being such that the fastener means enable one or more objects to be lifted to be secured to the elongate members so that a person wearing the lifting harness can lift the one or more objects with the weight of the objects being transferred to the person's shoulders.

2. A lifting harness according to claim 1 in which the shoulder portion and the elongate members are made from one or more straps.

3. A lifting harness according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the shoulder portion comprises a pair of arm holes for receiving the arms of the person.

4. A lifting harness according to any one of the preceding claims in which the fastener means comprises a pair of clips which are provided on the ends of the elongate members.

5. A lifting harness according to claim 4 in which the clips are adapted to clip to a part of the harness that is substantially waist high for ease of positioning and carrying the one or more objects.

6. A lifting harness substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.