GB2343360A

GB2343360A - Carrying harness

Info

Publication number: GB2343360A
Application number: GB9823948A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Roger Golten
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-11-03
Filing date: 1998-11-03
Publication date: 2000-05-10
Also published as: GB9823948D0

Abstract

An adaptable harness (1) for carrying objects on the back of a wearer, the harness comprising a mouldable plate (2) with pads (4) for resting on the upper region of the wearer's back. Adjustable shoulder straps (5) are secured or securable to the plate for attaching the plate to the wearer's back. The plate also includes ventilation openings (3) reduce perspiration and the shoulder straps have a padded region (5a) which is curvilinear to provide extra comfort. An object to be carried can secured to the plate by at least one vertical adjustable strap (7, fig. 2) secured or securable to the plate.

Description

CARRYING APPARATUS This invention relates to load carrying apparatus. More especially, but not exclusively, this invention relates to a harness for enabling conventional bags, briefcases or other objects, normally carried by hand, to be carried across the back of a wearer.

Medical problems associated with back-related injuries are all too common. Many such problems could be alleviated by educating the public how to lift heavy objects and maintain good posture. However, one of the most revalent causes of back strain, a condition which can form the basis of more serious problems in later life, is the carrying of bags, briefcases and the like, either in one hand or over one shoulder.

By evenly distributing a load over the upper back and shoulders, the stresses and strains associated with carrying a load are markedly reduced because the weight is nearer the vertical axis of the carrier. Therefore, to carry a"rucksack"over both shoulders is a preferred method of carriage.

However, many bags, briefcases and other like objects which require carrying from one place to another, are not suited, nor adapted to be carried on the back and the shoulders of a wearer in a"rucksack-like"style. As a result, business-men and women, for example, are risking training or injuring their backs from everyday carriage of heavy bags and cases.

It is an object of the invention to provide a means to enable a bag, briefcase or other object, without adaptation thereof, to be carried across the back of a wearer in a"rucksack-like"manner, and thus substantially eliminate or alleviate the problems associated with back strain as well as making the carrying process easier and more comfortable for the wearer. It is another object of the invention to provide reversibly attachable means that can be removed from the object to be carried if required.

Accordingly, in one aspect the invention provides an adaptable harness for carrying objects on the back of a wearer, the harness comprising a plate for resting on the upper region of the wearer's back; adjustable shoulder straps secured or securable to the plate for attaching the plate to the wearer's back; and at least one downwardly extending adjustable strap secured or securable to the plate for securing an object to the plate.

Preferably, the plate is padded such that in use, excess pressure is not applied to the wearer's spine. Therefore, typically, the plate comprises padding which covers the shoulder blades of the wearer when in use. The plate may comprise padding across its lower edge which additionally assists to distribute the weight of the object to be carried across the wearer's upper back and shoulders. The presence of padding also prevents very stiff and potentially uncomfortable objects from disabling the wearer.

In one embodiment, the plate is moulable such that it can be moulded to the shape of the wearer's back or shoulders. For example, the plate may comprise a wire framework which can be bent into shape to suit the wearer. The plate may comprise moulable sections extending from the plate at a position corresponding to the top of the wearer's shoulders.

Again, these sections may be made from a framework of wire, or another pliant material. The adjustable shoulder straps would thus be secured or securable to the moulable sections.

In order to provide a flow of air and heat from the back of the wearer and to reduce perspiration, the plate may comprise ventilation openings.

In one embodiment, the plate may comprise a framework of straps.

These straps may be padded.

For ease of storage when the harness is not in use, the plate may be foldable. Therefore, when the harness is not in use, the plate can be folded or rolled for compact storage in a bag or the like.

For addition ease of carriage, the harness may further comprise a handle.

Preferably, the adjustable shoulder straps contain padding in the region where the straps contact the wearer's shoulders during use.

Preferably, the padding on the straps is curvilinear in shape so that the padding follows the shape of the wearer's back and/or shoulder blades.

In one embodiment, the adjustable shoulder straps are secured or securable to the plate at a position corresponding to the tops of the wearer's shoulders.

The adjustable shoulder straps may further comprise pockets or straps for carrying small objects. This would enable the wearer to enjoy easy access to objects such as mobile telephones, bleepers, pens, cards or the like, without having to remove the harness and access the bag containing the object that the wearer requires.

The or each adjustable securing strap may be padded to protect delicate or frangible objects when carried.

Preferably, a plurality of adjustable securing straps are arranged substantially vertically on the plate. In addition, at least one adjustable securing strap may be arranged subslantially horizontal on the plate. In addition, at least one adjustable securing strap may be arranged substantially diagonally on the plate.

The adjustable shoulder straps and/or the adjustable securing straps may be attachable or detachable on or from the plate by means selected from inter alia hooks, buckles, clips or studs.

The adjustable shoulder straps and/or the adjustable securing straps may be elasticated.

The adjustable shoulder straps and/or the adjustable securing straps may be adjustable by means selected interalia from buckles, studs, hooks, or clips.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the following diagrammatic drawings in which: Figure 1 shows the view from one face of a harness according to the invention; and Figure 2 shows the view from the other face of the harness illustrated in Figure 1.

Referring now to the drawings, Figure 1 illustrates one face of an adaptable harness 1. The harness comprises a back plate 2 made of plastics, leather or other suitable material. In order to ensure adequate air flow between the back of a wearer and the plate, the plate contains a plurality of air ventilation openings 3. Padded areas 4 are incorporated into the plate in the region of the shoulder blades and the base of the plate. The harness is thus comfortable to wear and distributes the weight of the object to be carried over the back so that no excess pressure is applied to the spine.

Ajustable shoulder straps 5 project forwardly of one face of the plate at the shoulder position to enable the plate to be carried on the wearer's back after securing the straps around each shoulder of the wearer. For extra comfort, the upper regions 5a of the straps are padded. The padded regions 5a are curvilinear in shape to provide extra comfort and stability for the wearer. The length of the straps can be adjusted to suit the individual by means of an adjustable clasp 6.

Figure 2 illustrates a view from the other face of the harness 1.

Projecting forwardly from this face are adjustable straps 7 for securing an object to be carried by the wearer. Such objects may include a briefcase, a bag, a parcel, a musical instrument box, or the like. In order that the straps may accommodate any size of object, the straps are adjustable by means of a clasp 8.

It is to be understood that the foregoing is merely exemplary of one embodiment of the invention and that modifications may be made thereto without departing from the true scope of the invention as set out in the claims.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. An adaptable harness for carrying objects on the back of a wearer, the harness comprising a plate for resting on the upper region of the wearer's back; adjustable shoulder straps secured or securable to the plate for attaching the plate to the wearer's back; and at least one downwardly extending adjustable strap secured or securable to the plate for securing an object to the plate.
2. An adaptable harness as claimed in claim 1 wherein the plate is padded such that in use, excess pressure is not applied to the wearer's spine.
3. An adaptable harness as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the plate comprises padding which covers the shoulder blades of the wearer when in use.
4. An adaptable harness as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the plate comprises padding across its lower edge.
5. An adaptable harness as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the plate is moulable such that it can be moulded to the shape of the wearer's back or shoulders.
6. An adaptable harness as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the plate comprises moulable sections extending from the plate at a position corresponding to the top of the wearer's shoulders.
7. An adaptable harness as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6 wherein the moulable plate or moulable sections comprise (s) a framework of wire or another pliant material.
8. An adaptable harness as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the plate comprises ventilation openings.
9. An adaptable harness as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the plate comprises a framework of straps.
10. An adaptable harness as claimed in claim 8 wherein the straps are padded.
11. An adaptable harness as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the plate is foldable such that when the harness is not in use, the plate can be folded for compact storage.
12. An adaptable harness as claimed in any one of the preceding claims further comprising a handle for carriage.
13. An adaptable harness as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the adjustable shoulder straps contain padding where the straps contact the shoulders during use.
14. An adaptable harness as claimed in claim 13 wherein the padding on the adjustable shoulder straps is curvilinear in shape so that it follows the shape of the wearer's back and/or shoulder blades.
15. An adaptable harness as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the adjustable shoulder straps are secured or securable to the plate at a position corresponding to the tops of the wearer's shoulders.
16. An adaptable harness as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the adjustable shoulder straps further comprise pockets or straps for carrying small objects.
17. An adaptable harness as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the or each adjustable securing strap is padded to protect delicate or frangible objects when carried.
18. An adaptable harness as claimed in any one of the preceding claims comprising a plurality of adjustable securing straps arranged substantially vertically on the plate.
19. An adaptable harness as claimed in any one of the preceding claims comprising at least one adjustable securing strap arranged substantially diagonally on the plate.
20. An adaptable harness as claimed in any one of the preceding claims comprising at least one adjustable securing strap arranged substantially horizontally on the plate.
21. An adaptable harness as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the adjustable shoulder straps and/or the adjustable securing straps are attachable or detachable to the plate by means selected from inter alia hooks, buckles, clips or studs.
22. An adaptable harness as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the adjustable shoulder straps and/or the adjustable securing straps are elasticated.
23. An adaptable harness as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the adjustable shoulder straps and/or the adjustable securing straps are adjustable by means selected tinter alita from buckles, studs, hooks, or clips.
24. An adaptable harness substantially as described herein and with reference to the accompanying drawings.