GB2381434A

GB2381434A - Lifting Apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2381434A
Application number: GB0117444A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paul Terrence Spencer
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-07-18
Filing date: 2001-07-18
Publication date: 2003-05-07
Anticipated expiration: 2021-07-18
Also published as: GB0117444D0; GB2381434B

Abstract

Lifting apparatus 10 has a back portion 12, at least one strap 14 extendably mounted to the back portion 12 and releasable connection means comprising a first 18 and second portion 20, the first portion 18 being carried by the strap/s 14 and the second portion 20 being carried by the back portion 12 whereby the first portion 18 is releasably connected to the second portion 20 so as to retain the strap/s 14 around an article. The back portion 12 may be rigid and may cover the whole of the user's back. There may be a waist belt 26 to help retain the arrangement on the user's back and the strap may be extendibly mounted by means of a lockable real member 16. Where there are two or more straps there may be interconnection means to connect the straps part way along their length.

Description

Lifting Apparatus The present invention relates to lifting apparatus.

Lifting apparatus may be used in various different situations. for instance to assist a workman.

The present invention provides a lifting apparatus having a back portion which, in use, is worn by a user to extend across at least part of the back of a user, the arrangement further having at least one strap extendibly attached to the back portion and carrying the first portion of a releasable connection, the connection having a second portion which, in use, is carried by the back portion and to which the first portion is releasably connectable to retain the strap around an article which is to be lifted.

Preferably the back portion is substantially rigid to protect the users' back. The back portion preferably has at least one metal member to provide rigidity. The metal member may be a sheet member extending across substantially the whole of the area of the back portion. The back portion may be lined by resilient material.

The back portion may cover substantially the whole of the users'back.

Preferably the back portion is anatomically shaped to conform closely to the shape of the users'back. The back portion may have arms which reach around the users'shoulders and/or waist to help retain the arrangement on the users' back. The back portion may carry a belt or strap, such as a waist belt to help retain the arrangement on the users'back.

Preferably the back portion has a plurality of anchor points to which the strap may be mounted and/or the first portion attached. The strap may be attached to the back portion at two ends and carry the first portion at an intermediate position, the strap being extendible at least at one end.

Preferably the strap is extendibly mounted by means of a reel member around which the strap may be reeled and unreeled. The reel member is preferably sprung to provide resistance against unreeling. The reel member is preferably lockable. The reel member may be arranged to lock automatically in response to rapid unreeling, and to remain locked until force on the strap is released.

Preferably the arrangement comprises at least two straps as aforesaid.

The arrangement may have at least one additional strap carrying two second portions to allow the additional strap selectably to be used to connect together the first portions of respective straps. Preferably, at least one additional strap is in the form of a loop.

The invention also provides lifting apparatus having a back portion which, in use, is worn by a user to extend across at least part of the back of a user, the arrangement further having at least two straps attached to the back portion at both ends, and the arrangement further having interconnection means operable, in use, to connect the straps together part way along their length.

Lifting apparatus according to the second aspect of the arrangement may incorporate any feature or combination of features of the arrangement set out in the preceding definitions.

One embodiment of the invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which :- Fig. 1 is a side elevation of lifting apparatus according to the present invention; Figs. 2,3 and 4 are plan. rear elevation and front perspective views of the lifting apparatus of Fig. 1;

Figs. 5 and 6 illustrate additional straps for use with the arrangement of Figs. 1 to 4; Figs. 7 and 8 are front and side elevations of the arrangement of Figs. 1 to 4 when worn by a user for use; Figs. 9 and 10 are front and side views illustrating the arrangement in use for lifting; Figs. 11 and 12 and Figs. 13 and 14 correspond with Figs. 9 and 10. showing alternative lifting arrangements.

Figs. 1 to 4 show a lifting apparatus 10 which has a back portion 12, hereafter called a shell. The shell 12 is worn by a user to extend across at least part of the back of the user, as will be described below. However, while wearing the shell 12, the user is able to walk.

The apparatus 10 further has straps 14 which are extendibly attached to the shell 12 at reels 16 and carry a first portion 18 of a releasable connection formed by the first portion 18 and a second portion 20 which is carried by the shell 12. The first portion 18 is releasably connectable to the second portion 20 to retain the strap around an article which is to be lifted.

In more detail, the shell 12 has a backplate 22 which extends over most of the back of the user when worn, and from which four arms 24 extend to the front of the users'body. Upper arms 24a reach over the shoulders of the user.

Lower arms 24b reach around the users'waist. The result is a shell 12 which is anatomically formed to be a close fit around the users'torso, for comfort and security. A waist belt 26 further assists in keeping the shell 12 in position on the users'torso.

The back plate 22 and preferably the whole of the shell 12 is substantially rigid. In this example, the shell 12 is formed of several layers of

material, one of which is a sheet like metal layer providing rigidity. This may be the outer layer or an intermediate layer. An inner layer (which will be against the back of the user, when worn) is a layer of resilient material such as a foam or sponge material which providers cushioning or comfort between the user and the rigid layer.

The straps 14 are attached to the shoulder arms 24a by the reels 16, and to the shell 12 at anchor points 28 in the region of the waist belt 26. The straps 14 are thus connected to the shell 12 at both ends. The first portion 18 is carried part way between the two fixing positions.

The reels 16 are rotatable to allow material of the straps 14 to be reeled onto the reels 16, or unreeled from the reels 16, thus changing the length of strap 14 between the reel 16 and the anchor point 28. Spring bias tends to resist the straps being unreeled, or to reel in when slack. The reels 16 may be similar to those commonly used in relation to seat belts in motor vehicles and commonly called"inertia reel"anchorages. An inertia reel system incorporates an arrangement which senses the speed at which a strap is unreeled, and locks if this is sensed as being unduly fast. The anchorages may also have a manual control allowing them to be locked against reeling and unreeling. The straps 14 are preferably made of webbing of the type used for vehicle safety belts.

The lower arms 24b each carry a second portion 20 which is in the form of a female buckle from a vehicle safety belt arrangement, able to receive the first portion 18, which is itself a male portion of a safety belt buckle, thereby connecting the strap 14 to the shell 12 at the location of the second portion 20 on the lower arm 24b.

The anchor points 28 and the mounting arrangements for the second portions 20 may be interchangeable, allowing the second portions 20 to be moved to the anchor positions 28, and the fixed ends of the strap 14 to be secured to the lower arms 24b. This reconfiguration may be advantageous for different proposed uses of the lifting apparatus 10.

It is readily apparent from the drawings, particularly Fig. 4, that similar strap arrangements are provided on both sides of the apparatus 10, i. e. one from the left shoulder of the wearer, to the waist at the left of the wearer, and one from the right shoulder of the wearer to the waist at the right of the wearer. Each carries a first portion 18. Each first portion 18 can be attached to the corresponding second portion 20, as has been described, or can alternatively be used in conjunction with additional straps 30, 32, illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6.

The straps 30,32 will now be described briefly. The significance of them will be set out later.

The short strap 30 carries at each end a female buckle equivalent to the second portion 20, with a relatively short length of strap 34 between the two.

This allows the strap 30 to be connected to the first two portions 18 of the two straps 14 to form a short interconnection between them.

The long strap 32 is formed of a much longer loop of material, preferably of the same material as the straps 14, and carries two female buckles 36 which may be fixed at particular points around the loop, or free to move along the loop. Again, this allows the strap 32 to be connected between the first portions 18 of the two straps 14.

Figs. 7 and 8 show the apparatus 10 when worn by a user and ready for use. As can be seen, the arms 24a reach over the shoulders of the user and the arms 24b reach around the waist of the user, securing the shell 12 to the users' torso but leaving the arms and legs free so that movement, in particular walking, climbing or the like, is unimpeded. The waist belt 26 is secured to further assist retain the shell 12 in this position.

The apparatus can be used in various ways, as can now be described, particularly with reference to the remaining drawings. For simplicity, these show the harness apparatus 10 in use, but show only the schematic head and torso of the user.

Figs. 9 and 10 illustrate the apparatus 10 in use for lifting a long, heavy object 40. The straps 14 have been extended over the object 40 to extend around the object 40 on the side remote from the apparatus 10, until the first portion 18 reaches and is secured to the second portion 20. If the object 40 is an item to be lifted, this condition can be attained by the user bending or kneeling down and slowly extending the straps 14 from the reels 16 until sufficient has been played out to allow the portions 18, 20 to be attached. The straps 14 can then be released, at which point the reels 16, which are spring biased, will reel in any surplus lengths of the straps 14. The user can now begin to lift the object 14, standing up as they do so. This will cause the weight of the object 40 to be borne, at least in part, on the straps 14, causing the reels 16 to lock. Locking may be assisted by the user making a sudden pull on the straps 14. Once locked, the reels 16 have the effect of conveying the weight of the object 40 of the straps 14 to the arms 24a and thus to the shoulders of the user, so that the weight is borne by a part of the human torso which is well adapted for safe load bearing. In particular, the weight is transferred to the shoulders rather than to the waist, the waist of the user being protected by the presence of the shell 12, which forces the user to lift with a good lifting technique, including a straight back.

It is envisaged that many different shapes and sizes of articles can be lifted in this way, with the weight being borne safely by the shoulders. In particular, it is envisaged that the user will be able to lift loads which are sufficiently large (but not necessarily heavy) to prevent an adequate grip being obtained, or which prevent the centre of gravity of the object being brought sufficiently close to the torso (which would otherwise result in flexing of the torso, and an unsafe strain on the waist). It may be easier to extend the straps 14 over or around large objects if a length of strap is played out, the inertia reel anchorages are locked by manual operation, and the straps are then attached as described above.

When the user wishes to put down the object 40, they bend to the ground with their back maintained in a straight posture by the shell 12. Once the

object 40 is supported on the ground, the second portions 20 are operated to release the first portions 18, the straps 14 are then reeled in and onto the reels 16 and the user is released from the object 40 and free to stand normally.

Figs. 11 and 12 show an alternative mode of use, in which the short strap 30 is used. In this example, the article 42 is relatively short but heavy. The short length of the article 42 as compared with the object 40, introduces the risk that the straps 14 could slip over the ends of the article 42, if used in the manner described in relation to Figs. 9 and 10. This would disconnect the article 42 from the apparatus 10, possibly allowing the article to be dropped. This problem is averted by the use of the short strap 30 to interconnect the first portions 18, to define a maximum separation of the straps 14 and thus help to prevent the article 42 slipping from the straps 14. In this arrangement, the main loop of the strap from the reel 16 to the anchor point 28 is used to secure the article 42 to the apparatus 10. The weight of the article 42 is again conveyed by the straps 14 to the shoulders of the user, through the arms 24a.

The long strap 32 can be used in a similar manner to the short strap 30, or to allow lifting of a large or unusual shaped object, as shown in Figs. 13 and 14. In this example, a large article 44 is being carried. It can be seen that the centre of gravity of the article 44 is likely to be spaced from the user's body, and that, without the benefit of the lifting apparatus, the user may be unable to reach the other side of the article to grip it securely, without adopting an unsafe lifting posture. With the lifting apparatus in use, load is borne by the user's shoulders and the user's back is straight, as can be seen particularly from Fig. 14.

Either strap 30,32 could be used to connect together first portions 18 on two different sets of apparatus 10, worn by different users, in the event they wished to cooperate to carry a heavy or bulky article.

It can thus be appreciated that by using the apparatus 10 in various ways, the safety of the user can be enhanced by ensuring that, when lifting,

good posture is maintained and forces are borne primarily by the shoulders.

Many variations and modifications can be made to the apparatus described above, without departing from the scope of the present invention. In particular, the shell 12 can be made in many different shapes, sizes and styles, particularly if requirements for comfort or the size or type of load to be experienced can more readily be provided. Many different materials can be used for the shell 12, again according to performance requirements. Metal, plastic or reinforced resins could be used. Straps and attachments have been described as based on safety belt technology, which is convenient, effective and readily available, but other strap arrangements could alternatively be used. The location of various anchor positions for the straps could be altered.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

1. Lifting apparatus having a back portion which, in use, is worn by a user to extend across at least part of the back of a user, the arrangement further having at least one strap extendibly attached to the back portion and carrying a first portion of a releasable connection, the connection having a second portion which, in use, is carried by the back portion and to which the first portion is releasably connectable to retain the strap around an article which is to be lifted.

2. Lifting apparatus according to claim I, wherein the back portion is substantially rigid to protect the users'back.

3. Lifting apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the back portion has at least one metal member to provide rigidity.

4. Lifting apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the metal member is a sheet member extending across substantially the whole of the area of the back portion.

5. Lifting apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the back portion is lined by resilient material.

6. Lifting apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the back portion covers substantially the whole of the users'back.

7. Lifting apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the back portion is anatomically shaped to conform closely to the shape of the users'back.

8. Lifting apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the back portion has arms which reach around the users'shoulders and/or waist to help retain the arrangement on the users'back.

9. Lifting apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the back portion carries a belt or further strap to help retain the arrangement on the users'back.

10. Lifting apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the belt is a waist belt.

11. Lifting apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the back portion has a plurality of anchor points to which the strap is mounted and/or the first portion attached.

12. Lifting apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the strap is attached to the back portion at two ends and carries the first portion at an intermediate position, the strap being extendible at least at one end.

13. Lifting apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the strap is extendibly mounted by means of a reel member around which the strap is reeled and unreeled.

14. Lifting apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the reel member is sprung to provide resistance against unreeling.

15. Lifting apparatus according to claims 13 or 14, wherein the reel member is lockable.

16. Lifting apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the reel member is arranged to lock automatically in response to rapid unreeling, and to remain locked until force on the strap is released.

17. Lifting apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the

arrangement comprises at least two straps as aforesaid.

='c . : I

18. Lifting apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the arrangement has at least one additional strap carrying two second portions to allow the additional

strap selectably to be used to connect together the first portions of respective straps.

19. Lifting apparatus according to claim 18, wherein at least one additional strap is in the form of a loop.

20. Lifting apparatus having a back portion which, in use, is worn by a user to extend across at least part of the back of a user, the arrangement further having at least two straps attached to the back portion at both ends, and the arrangement further having interconnection means operable, in use, to connect the straps together part way along their length.

21. Lifting apparatus according to claim 20, wherein said at least two straps are each extendibly attached to the back portion and carry a first portion of a releasable connection, the connection having a second portion which, in use, is carried by the back portion and to which the first portion is releasably connectable to retain the strap around an article which is to be lifted.

22. Lifting apparatus according to claims 20 or 21, wherein the back portion is substantially rigid to protect the users'back.

23. Lifting apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the back portion has at least one metal member to provide rigidity.

24. Lifting apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the metal member is a sheet member extending across substantially the whole of the area of the back portion.

25. Lifting apparatus according to any of claims 20 to 24, wherein the back 'i portion is lined by resilient material, . ? - 1

26. Lifting apparatus according to any of claims 20 to 25, wherein the back portion covers substantially the whole of the users'back.

27. Lifting apparatus according to any of claims 20 to 26, wherein the back portion is anatomically shaped to conform closely to the shape of the users' back.

28. Lifting apparatus according to any of claims 20 to 27, wherein the back portion has arms which reach around the users'shoulders and/or waist to help retain the arrangement on the users'back.

29. Lifting apparatus according to any of claims 20 to 28, wherein the back portion carries a belt or further strap to help retain the arrangement on the users'back.

30. Lifting apparatus according to claim 29, wherein the belt is a waist belt.

31. Lifting apparatus according to any of claims 20 to 30, wherein the back portion has a plurality of anchor points.

32. Lifting apparatus according to claim 31, wherein each strap is mounted to one of the plurality of anchor points.

33. Lifting apparatus according to claim 31 or 32, wherein each first portion is attached to one of the plurality of anchor points.

34. Lifting apparatus according to any of claims 21 to 33 when dependent on claim 21, wherein each strap carries the first portion at an intermediate position, the strap being extendible at least at one end.

35. Lifting apparatus according to any of claims 20 to 34, wherein the strap is extendibly mounted by means of a reel member around which the strap is reeled and unreeled.

36. Lifting apparatus according to claim 35, wherein the reel member is sprung to provide resistance against unreeling.

37. Lifting apparatus according to claims 35 or 36, wherein the reel member is lockable.

38. Lifting apparatus according to claim 37, wherein the reel member is arranged to lock automatically in response to rapid unreeling, and to remain locked until force on the strap is released.

39. Lifting apparatus according to claim 21 or any of claims 22 to 38, when dependent on claim 21, wherein the arrangement has at least one additional strap carrying two second portions to allow the additional strap selectably to be used to connect together the first portions of respective straps.

40. Lifting apparatus according to claim 39, wherein at least one additional strap is in the form of a loop.

41. Lifting apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 1 to 10 or Figs. 11 and 12 or Figs. 13 and 14 of the accompanying drawings.

42. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed herein, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.