BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
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Transporting heavy items and boxes, such as when moving to a new home or apartment, requires the movers to lift and carry heavy loads, oftentimes for long distances. Movers normally lift the items and boxes by their hands and stabilize them by their arms and bodies applying most of the weight to their arms and back causing discomfort, fatigue, and injury.
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What is needed is a load-bearing device that can be worn by a person who is moving heavy items and boxes that can comfortably shift the weight of the load from the mover's arms and back to the mover's legs, resulting is much less fatigue and reduced risk of injury.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
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One aspect of the present invention comprises a device for facilitating the carrying of a load by a user, comprising a hook removably attached to a support element worn by the user, the hook comprising a first arm comprising a length with opposing ends and a width; a second arm comprising a length with opposing ends and a width; a bridge connecting one end of the first arm to one end of the second arm, such that the first and second arms are configured in substantially parallel orientation; and a support surface attached to, and extending away from, the first arm such that the support surface and the first arm are configured in substantially perpendicular orientation, the support surface comprising one or more friction factors.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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FIG. 1 shows a side view of a detachable hook with load-bearing surface.
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FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a detachable hook with load-bearing surface.
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FIG. 3 shows a back perspective view of a detachable hook with load-bearing surface in relation to an attaching support element.
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FIG. 4 shows a front perspective view of a detachable hook with load-bearing surface in relation to an attaching support element.
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FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a detachable hook with load-bearing surface in relation to a box to be carried.
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FIGS. 6 show a bottom perspective view of a detachable hook with load-bearing surface in relation to a box to be carried.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
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The present invention relates generally to the field of load-bearing devices, and more particularly to detachable hook with load-bearing surface. The detachable hook with loadbearing surface of the present invention can be utilized by movers of heavy items and boxes to comfortably shift the weight of the load from the arms and back of the mover to the legs, resulting is much less fatigue and reduced risk of injury.
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Further objectives and advantages of the present invention will become apparent as the description proceeds and when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. To gain a full appreciation of the scope of the present invention, it will be further recognized that various aspects of the present invention can be combined to make desirable embodiments of the invention. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Where a term is provided in the singular, the inventor also contemplates the plural of that term. The nomenclature used herein and the procedures described below are those well known and commonly employed in the art.
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One exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a device for facilitating the carrying of a load by a user, including a hook removably attached to a support element worn by the user. In one example, the present invention includes a hook configured substantially in a U-shaped configuration. The hook may be made from any suitable rigid material such as rigid plastics, rigid rubbers, metals such as aluminum, wood, rigid paper, a combination thereof, and the like. The support element worn by the user may be any support element suitable for the purpose of supporting the hook and the weight of the load being carried, for example, the waistline of pants or jeans worn by the user, or belts or other similar wearable support elements worn by the user.
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The hook of the present invention includes a first arm including a length with opposing ends and a width, and also a second arm including a length with opposing ends and a width. The hook also includes a bridge connecting one end the first arm to one end of the second arm, such that the first and second arms are configured in substantially parallel orientation. In such a configuration, the hook can be removably attached to the support element, such as a belt worn by the user. The first and second arms of the hook can slide over the support element or allow the support element to slide in between the first and the second arms of the hook, wherein the arms can clip onto or grip the belt from opposing direction. The distance between the first and second arms may be set by the bridge such that the first arm and second are able to tightly clip onto or grip the support member from opposing directions. Exemplary desired ranges for the distance between the first and second arms of the hook may range between about 1/32 inches to about 2 inches, and more desired distances range between about 1/16 inches to about 1 inch. The arms and the bridge of the hook may be constructed to provide some flexibility such that the arms are able to allow the support element, for example a belt, to slide in between them.
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The present invention also includes a support surface attached to, and extending away from, the first arm such that the support surface and the first arm are configured in substantially perpendicular orientation. The support surface can be used by the user to rest and balance a portion of the load, such as an edge or a corner of a box, in order to facilitate the carrying of a load by shifting the weight of the load from the arms and back of the user to the legs. Alternatively, items to be carried may be hung from the support surface, for example by one or more hooks, cords, wires, or handles. This allows the user to hold or hang a variety of loads from the support surface and increasing versatility of the present invention. The support surface may be made from any suitable rigid material such as rigid plastics, rigid rubbers, metals such as aluminum, wood, rigid paper, a combination thereof, and the like. The support surface, at rest, may be constructed to be angled slightly upward from being perpendicular with the first arm, and the support surface and the first arm may be constructed to provide some flexibility such that the support surface can move from being angled slightly upward to become perpendicular with the first arm under heavy loads. Exemplary desired ranges for the upward angle from perpendicular between the support surface and the first arms may range between about 1 degree to about 30 degrees, and more desired angles range between about 5 degrees to about 15 degrees. The support member may be attached directly to the first arm, or be attached indirectly through a connector. The support surface may also include one or more friction factors, in order to maintain grip on the load's corner or edge and to increase friction between the support surface and the load. For example, the friction factors may include the type of material from which the support surface itself is made of which provides for increased friction, such as rubber, and/or the friction factors may include patterns provided on the surface to increase roughness and friction, and also groves or ridges may be provided on the support surface to increase gripping and friction between the surface and the load. The friction factors may be part of the support surface itself, or be separate and attached to the support surface.
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The components of the present invention may be constructed of a single piece of material with uniform cross section, or be constructed of different pieces and attached to each other. The device of the present invention may be cut from a larger block of uniform cross section, or be made by injection molding. Alternative dimensions may be used to construct the present invention in different sizes and configurations.
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All headings are for the convenience of the reader and should not be used to limit the meaning of the text that follows the heading, unless so specified. Various changes and departures may be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be limited to that specifically described in the specification or as illustrated in the drawings, but only as set forth in the claims. Although the invention has been described and illustrated with respect to exemplary embodiments thereof, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and various other changes, omissions, and additions may be made therein and thereto, without parting from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
