WO2022038624A1

WO2022038624A1 - Bidirectional dynamic load distribution system

Info

Publication number: WO2022038624A1
Application number: PCT/IN2021/050223
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ashish Kansal
Original assignee: Ashish Kansal
Priority date: 2020-08-18
Filing date: 2021-03-08
Publication date: 2022-02-24

Abstract

A load carrier device for dynamically distributing one or more loads carried by a user, wherein the device includes of a central platform, a top slider slidably connected with the casing of central platform, and a bottom slider slidably connected with the central platform. The central platform is provided with a means for attaching a vest to fit a user's torso wherein the vest is attached with the one or more of loads.

Description

1. TITLE: BIDIRECTIONAL DYNAMIC LOAD DISTRIBUTION

SYSTEM

3. PREAMBLE OF THE DESCRIPTION: The following complete specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is performed. TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present embodiment relates to a load distribution system, and more particularly to a load carrying device or equipment that enables carrying heavy load via way of load distribution.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Among the many systems available for carrying heavy loads on the back of a person, two of the popular systems include the all Purpose Lightweight Individual-Carrying Equipment (ALICE) and the Modular Lightweight Load- Carrying Equipment (MOLLE). The MOLLE system, with features for improved load distribution, was introduced in early 2000 and replaced the ALICE system.

However, carrying a heavy load such as backpack, rucksack, ballistic jacket, or any bag carrying a heavy load by a load distribution system over long distances and over extended periods of time, continues to remain associated with musculoskeletal injury and injuries like rucksack palsy. This has been well established in various tactical personnel such as police officers, fire-fighters, military personnel, and emergency responders where the personnel are known to carry heavy loads of up to even 100% of their body weight.

Some of the common injuries experienced by backpackers of the tactical populations and general population include the lower back pain, microstructural damage to the nerves in neck and shoulders, blisters, knee pain, stress fractures, and bones and joints of the lower limbs. The incidence of paresthesia has not been reduced by new load carrying/distribution technologies and thus new features may be necessary.

The prevalence of such injuries leads to substantial direct and indirect costs wherein the direct costs relate with therapeutic medical intervention and the indirect costs relate loss of productivity from work absenteeism and diminished functionality such as impaired ability of machine handling, impared response time of personnel, reduced dexterity due to inhibition in movement The current load distribution systems lack universality often owing to their unidirectional extension mechanisms to spread/distribute load. Therefore, they have to be usually manufactured in different sizes to cater to different heights of different users.

On a flat terrain, it is more beneficial to place items high in the pack because this makes it easier to maintain the body in an upright position. On an uneven terrain, an even distribution of the load allows the body to remain stable. Hip belts (also referred to as waist belts) and shoulder straps have been shown to efficiently distribute the load in order to maintain center of gravity of the body. It has been well documented that there will be more pressure on the shoulders if a hip belt is not used. Thus, shoulder straps and waist belts have been configured with load carrying devices in order to re-distribute the load to the hips or / and the shoulders from the shoulder or / and the hips. When the shoulder straps are looser, there is a greater amount of load placed on the hips. On the other hand, when the shoulder straps are tighter, there is a greater amount of load placed on the shoulders. The unidirectionally extendible load carrying systems available currently do not allow such dynamic distribution of weight according to a terrain.

There is, therefore, a need for a load carriage /distribution system that reduces any risk associated with heavy load carriage injuries and reduce the wearer’s fatigue and energy expenditure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In an aspect, a load distribution and carrier device/system for dynamically distributing one or more loads carried by a user, on their back is provided. The system/device includes a central platform, a top slider slidably connected with the central platform, and a bottom slider slidably connected with the outer casing. The central platform may be provided with a means for attaching a vest to fit a user’s torso wherein the vest is attached with the one or more of loads. In an embodiment, the central platform may be provided with means to directly attach to a heavy load. The top slider and the bottom slider are slidably mounted to a support an outer casing of the central platform. The top slider and bottom slider are provided with a mechanism to being lockable without sliding and to being slidable when not locked, wherein a first end of the top slider and the bottom slider is a lockable end and adapted through a receivable element within the central platform. Slidably raising and lowering the top slider and the bottom slider distributes the weight of the load between the user's waist and shoulders.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The characteristics and advantages of the embodiment herein will become apparent from the following description of an embodiment given by way of nonlimiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings in wherein,

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a load distribution and carrier device, according to an embodiment herein; .

FIG. 2 illustrates a view of a top slider and a bottom slider along with a central platform, according to an embodiment herein;

FIG. 3 illustrates a view of the entire system with the top slider and bottom slider along with central platform with a casing for the load distribution and carrier device. , according to an embodiment herein;

FIG. 4 illustrates the load distribution and carrier device attached with a waist belt and a vest system, according to an embodiment herein; and

FIG. 5 illustrates the load distribution carrier device attached with the waist belt and vest system as worn by a user, according to an embodiment herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The detailed description is set forth with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The use of the same reference numbers in different figures indicates similar or identical items or features. The directional terminology, such as “top,” and “bottom” is used with reference to the orientation of the Figure(s) being described. Because components of embodiments of the present embodiment can be positioned in a number of different orientations, the directional terminology is used for purposes of illustration and is in no way limiting. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural or functional changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present embodiment.

An efficient way to carry heavy loads on the back is to adjust the heavy load distribution such that its center of gravity is close to the centre of gravity of the body of the person carrying the load on their back. Thus, load distribution and placement is a critical factor in physiological response to load carriage, and optimum choice of upper or lower position when distributing items in a backpack/rucksack/ballistic jacket may be dependent on the walking terrain and grades.

The present load distribution and carrier device is designed to reduce the risk associated with heavy load carriage injuries and reduce the wearer’s (or user’s) energy expenditure. The present embodiment further provides a means for shifting the proportion of weight from the hips to the shoulders and vice versa to mitigate musculoskeletal injury concerns, expend less energy, and decrease fatigue.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a load distribution and carrier device 100 , according to an embodiment herein. . The load distribution and carrier device 100 can be retrofitted with a vest, a waist belt, and other pack accessories as show in FIG. 4 or directly to a heavy load carrying equipment. The heavy load carrying equipment that may be carried using this device or system includes rucksack, ballistic jackets, backpacks etc. Further, a vest with the load distribution and carrier device may be worn by a user for carrying the heavy load equipment such as rucksack as shown is Fig 5.

In continued reference to FIG. 1, the load distribution and carrier device 100 includes a top slider 105, a bottom slider 130, a central platform 150, a central cam roller 145, expansion springs 135, compression springs 140, locking buttons 120, thread spindle 115, an outer casing 110.

The load distribution and carrier device 100 is provided with a modular design assembly comprising a top slider 105 adapted for linear translation along the long- axis of the load distribution and carrier device 100, a bottom slider 130 adapted for linear translation along the long-axis of the load distribution and carrier device 100, and a central platform 150 that is held stationary and to which the top slider 105 and the bottom slider 130 are mechanically coupled through an actuation mechanism. The central platform 150 may be attached to a vest and the vest may then be attached to a heavy load or alternatively, the central platform may be attached directly to a load carrying equipment such as a backpack, rucksack, ballistic jacket or any heavy load.

The actuation mechanism involves a central cam roller 145 which is a cylindrical cam or barrel cam obtained by joining of two cylinders of equal dimensions in tandem wherein the two cylinders are joined end to end with a coupling provided by a cylinder of smaller dimension, the coupling cylinder.

A compression spring 140 is used to maintain a mechanical contact between the central cam roller 145 and a reciprocating roller with attached lock buttons 120. With the compression spring 140 mechanically coupled with the central cam roller 145 through a contact coupling provided at the coupling cylinder, if the compression spring 140 is compressed, the lock buttons 120 disengage from the provided locking receptacles 125 of the lock button 120. With the lock buttons 120 disengaged, the top slider 105 and the bottom slider 130 can be linearly translated along the long-axis of the load distribution and carrier device using an actuation mechanism that can be accessed through the thread spindle 115.

The thread spindle 115 is configured to provide the compression force to the compression spring 140 through a pull/push mechanism of the thread spindle 115. A pull force applied to the thread spindle 115 compresses the compression spring 140 assembly. Since the compression spring 140 assembly is mechanically coupled with the central cam roller 145 through a contact coupling of the compression spring 140 provided at the coupling cylinder, the compression of the compression spring 140 will cause the central cam roller 145 to rotate either clockwise or anti-clockwise. For instance, if the thread spindle 115 is pulled to compress the compression spring 140, the central cam roller 145 could rotate clockwise. This clockwise rotation of the central cam roller 145, causes the corresponding cam follower to rotate anti-clockwise. The lock buttons 120 that are mounted on the cam follower get retracted (disengaged) from the provided locking receptacles 125 of the lock buttons 120. In one embodiment, the top slider 105 and the bottom slider 130 are mechanically coupled with the cam follower. Therefore, if the cam follower is freed through the disengaging of the lock buttons 120 from the provided locking receptacles 125, the top slider 105 and the bottom slider 130 can be slided. That is, the top slider 105 and the bottom slider 130 can be provided with a linear translation. The linear translation, as was mentioned above, is accomplished using an actuation mechanism such as the cam mechanism.

If the thread spindle 115 is pushed to extend the compression spring 140, the central cam roller 145 could rotate anti-clockwise. This anti-clockwise rotation of the central cam roller 145 causes the corresponding cam follower to rotate clockwise. The lock buttons 120 that are mounted on the cam follower get engaged with the provided locking receptacles 125 of the lock buttons 120. This locks the cam follower. In an embodiment, the top slider 105 and the bottom slider 130 are mechanically coupled with the cam follower. Therefore, if the cam follower is locked through engaging of the lock buttons 120 with the provided locking receptacles 125, the top slider 105 and the bottom slider 130 cannot be slided. That is, the top slider 105 and the bottom slider 130 will be prevented from having any linear translation.

With the lock buttons 120 disengaged, the thread spindle 115 can be provided with a torque to drive the actuation mechanism of the central cam roller to enable a linear translation of the top slider and the bottom slider. In a preferred embodiment, the translation of both the top slider 105 and bottom slider 130 are coupled. A torque applied to the actuation mechanism of the central cam roller 145 will translate the top slider 105 and the bottom slider 130 in the same direction along the long axis of the load distribution and carrier device.

In another embodiment, the translation of both the top slider 105 and bottom slider 130 are decoupled and are mutually exclusive. A torque applied to the actuation mechanism of the central cam roller 145 will translate one of the top slider and the bottom slider. A switching mechanism (not shown) provided with the actuation mechanism of the load distribution and carrier device permits independent translation of the one of bottom slider 130 and the top slider 105.

FIG. 2 shows a view of a top slider and bottom slider along with central platform 150. The top slider 105 and the bottom slider 130 are inserted in a number of grooves in a the casing 110 of the central platform 150 using the central cam roller 145 as a guide. In one embodiment, , the lock buttons 120 are attached with the top slider 105 and the bottom slider 130. In yet another embodiment, the lock buttons 120 may be attached with the locking receptacles 125.

FIG. 3 shows a view of the entire system of load distribution and carrier device with the top slider 105 and bottom slider 130 along with the central platform 150 in addition to the casing for load distribution and carrier device.

The buckles 310 provided with the load distribution and carrier device are used for attaching the packs, pouches, and accessories to the load distribution and carrier device. The packs could consist of, for instance, a shoulder harness, a waist belt harness, a vest harness for the user to wear the load distribution and carrier device. Various other packs such as the MOLLE system, the ALICE system, any custom made or proprietary pack systems can be attached with the load distribution and carrier device. The load distribution and carrier device is designed to facilitate attaching to the frame via straps (of the accessories) that can interleave through the buckles 120 provided on the load distribution and carrier device. The load distribution and carrier device is designed to give users the ability to tailor their equipment to their personal needs by allowing various configurations through modular attachment.

Fig. 4 shows a load distribution and carrier device attached with the waist belt 440 and vest system 405, according to an embodiment herein. . The load distribution and carrier device is provided with means for attaching the carrying system to a person's upper body. A kamarband or a waist belt 440 such as the MOLLE system 445 waist belt unit is attached to the bottom slider using the straps provided with the waist belt 440 unit that are weaved through the buckles provided with the bottom slider of the load distribution and carrier device. Furthermore, the bottom slider can be inserted into a sheath or housing pocket on the waist belt 440 unit. The sheath supports the bottom slider and maintains the alignment of the long- axis of the load distribution and carrier device with respect to the waist belt. The position of the waist belt 440 unit can be lowered or raised as the user deems fit through the use of actuation mechanism, as described earlier, that is controlled by the thread spindle 115. The thread spindle 115 is provided with a long flexible rod or cable 435 (also referred to herein as the support system adjuster) to facilitate the user of the load distribution and carrier device to easily control the lock button mechanism and the actuation mechanism to linearly translate the bottom slider. This enables adjusting the position of the waits belt by either lowering or raising it.

Lowering of the waist belt 440 can transfer the vertical load on the back more to the hips or waist from the shoulders and back. Raising of the waist belt 440, on the other hand, can transfer vertical load of the backmore to the shoulders and back from the hips or waist.

The waist belt 440 is also provided with velcro patches 455 which facilitates adjusting the length of the waist belt 440. The waist belt 440 unit can thus be adapted to the waist measurement of the user. Additional connecting straps 450 may be provided with the waist belt 440 for reinforcing the strength of the attachment. The vest or jacket 405 has a coupling for releasably attaching the vest 405 to the load distribution and carrier device using the buckles provided on the load distribution and carrier device. Straps provided with the vest are weaved through the buckle of the load distribution carrier device and fastened using known mechanisms. A user wearing the vest incorporating the load distribution carrier device can carry a rucksack or other load which can be attached directly to the load distribution carrier device, using the buckles provided for straps to fit in and be fastened using known mechanisms. Additionally, loads can be also be added to the vest for further even distribution of the load. The vest if provided with the side HAP pocket LHS , the side HAP pocket RHS, and the back HAP pocket, to facilitate adding further load to the vest and improve even load distribution. In an embodiment, the vest is replaced by a heavy load carrying equipment such as a rucksack.

The vest 405 is also provided with a collar 410 which is padded for extra comfort. Furthermore, the vest 405 is provided with jacket adjustment straps 415. Such straps have also been used to distribute the load between the hips or waist and the shoulders. When the straps are looser, there is a greater amount of load placed on the hips. On the other hand, when the shoulder straps are tighter, there is a greater amount of load placed on the shoulders.

Fig. 5 shows the load distribution and carrier device attached with the waist belt 440 and vest 405 system as worn by a user 505. The vest 405 is typically worn over a user's 505 torso. The vest adjustment straps 415 are used to hold the vest over the user's 505 torso. The flexible cable or rod 435 is adapted to be within easy reach of the user 505 for efficient distribution of load carried over a vest through relocating the load between the shoulders and the hips through manipulation of the top slider and the bottom slider. The top slider and the bottom slider are effectively raised or lowered even while the vest is being worn by the user so that weight can selectively and dynamically be transferred from the shoulders to the hips and vice versa even while the user is engaged in activity while wearing the device.

Claims

: A load carrier device for dynamically distributing one or more loads carried by a user, the device comprising: a central platform (150) with a means for attaching a load carrying equipment (405) ; a top slider (105) and a bottom slider (130), wherein the top slider and the bottom slider are slidably mounted to an outer casing (110) ); the top slider (105) provided with a mechanism to being lockable without sliding and to being slidable when unlocked, wherein a first end of the top slider (105) is a lockable end and adapted through a receivable element within the central platform (150); the top slider further provided with a second end engageable with an upper body of a vest (405) wherein slidably raising and lowering the top slider distributes the weight of the load between the user's shoulders and waist; the bottom slider (130) provided with a mechanism to being lockable without sliding and to being slidable when not locked, wherein a first end of the bottom slider is a lockable end and adapted through a receivable element within the central platform; the bottom slider (130) further provided with a second end engageable with a waist belt (440), wherein slidably raising and lowering the bottom slider (130) distributes the weight of the load between the user's waist and shoulders. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the top slider (105) and the bottom slider (130) are provided a means, through an actuation mechanism, to be dynamically raised and lowered by the user (505) for dynamically distributing the load carried by the user (505).

3. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the actuation mechanism is operably connected with a thread spindle (115), wherein the thread spindle (115) is mechanically coupled with a flexible cable (435).

4. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bottom slider (130) is provided a means for removably attaching a waist belt (440).

5. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the top slider (105) is provided a means for removably attaching a shoulder harness.

6. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the central platform (150) is provided a means for removably attaching a vest (405).

7. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein has a coupling for releasably attaching the vest (405) using the buckles provided on the load distribution and carrier device.