Carrier system

Abstract

A carrier system for use with a body armor garment that distributes the shoulder loads produced by equipment carried or worn by military or law enforcement personnel, away from the user's shoulders and comfortably to the hips. Heavy shoulder loads, which typically cause chronic back pain and can lead to compression of the spine, are significantly mitigated. The carrier system has a vertical back support and a belt for securing the device around the waist of the user. In addition to alleviating shoulder fatigue and spine compression, the device is light, comfortable, durable, adjustable and easy to maintain.

Claims

1. A carrier apparatus for carrying a shoulder load of a wearer, the shoulder load having at least one shoulder strap, the apparatus comprising: a flexible and adjustable waist strap adapted to encircle the wearer's waist, the waist strap having at least a first end and a second end and a fastening device for detachably securing the first end and second end in front of the wearer; and an upright support member attached to the waist strap at a portion of the waist strap substantially mid-portion between the waist strap first end and second end and corresponding approximately to the wearer's back, the upright support member extending vertically for a desired length along the wearer's back; wherein the upright support member has a wearer facing side, an opposing exterior side, a central upper edge, and at least two upper tabs that extend in a vertical direction beyond the central upper edge and vertically above the height of the wearer's shoulders, but not exceeding the height of the wearer's chin and not substantially extending horizontally over the wearer's shoulders; wherein at least the two upper tabs are separated by the central upper edge and are situated at a lateral point on the upright support member corresponding to the wearer's shoulders, with the central upper edge situated at a vertical point on the upright support member corresponding no higher than the wearer's shoulders; wherein the at least two upper tabs are positioned extending upward from the central upper edge such that the upright support member receives at least a portion of the shoulder load via the shoulder strap and the at least two upper tabs, with at least a portion of the shoulder load being transmitted downwardly through the at least two upper tabs and the upright support member to the wearer's hips; and wherein the upright support member, including the at least two upper tabs, is a solid body, the solid body being a single piece of material contoured to at least partially follow a contour of the wearer's back.

2. The carrier apparatus of claim 1, wherein the central upper edge is about six to eighteen inches wide.

3. The carrier apparatus of claim 1, wherein the upright support member is pivotably attached to the waist strap in a manner that permits the support member to rotate laterally with respect to the waist strap.

4. The carrier apparatus of claim 1, wherein the upright support member further comprises at least one cushion situated on the wearer facing side between the upright support member and the wearer.

5. The carrier apparatus of claim 1, wherein the upright support member defines two triangular cutouts proximally disposed in opposing relation such that a portion of upright support member is sufficiently diagonal so that the upright support member is semi-rigid.

6. The carrier apparatus of claim 1, wherein the two upper tabs define a tab top edge having a strap retention device to prevent the at least one shoulder strap from sliding laterally off the tab top edge.

7. The carrier apparatus of claim 1, wherein the upright support member is a solid piece of polycarbonate.

8. A carrier system for use with a vest defining a downwardly open support guiding sleeve that is closed at an upper end and a shoulder load having at least one shoulder strap adapted to transfer a load to a shoulder of a wearer, the carrier system comprising: a flexible and adjustable waist strap adapted to encircle the wearer's waist, the waist strap having at least a first end and a second end and a fastening device for detachably securing the first end and second end; and an upright support member attached to the waist strap at a portion of the waist strap substantially mid-portion between the waist strap first end and second end and corresponding approximately to the wearer's back, the upright support member extending vertically for a desired length along the wearer's back; wherein the upright support member has a wearer facing side, an opposing exterior side, a central upper edge, and two upper tabs that extend upward in a vertical direction beyond the central upper edge and the height of the wearer's shoulders, but not exceeding the height of the wearer's chin and not substantially extending horizontally over the wearer's shoulders; wherein the two upper tabs are separated by and extend upward from the central upper edge and are situated at a lateral point on the upright support member corresponding to the wearer's shoulders, with the central upper edge situated at a vertical point on the upright support member corresponding no higher than the wearer's shoulders; wherein the upright support member is adapted to engage with the support guiding sleeve and the two upper tabs of the support member are adapted to receive the shoulder load via at least one of the shoulder straps; wherein at least a portion of the shoulder load is transmitted downwardly through the two upper tabs of the upright support member to the wearer's hips; and wherein the upright support member, including the two upper tabs, is a solid body, the solid body being a single piece of material contoured to at least partially follow a contour of the wearer's back.

9. The carrier system of claim 8, wherein the downwardly open support guiding sleeve and the central upper edge are about six to eighteen inches wide.

10. The carrier system of claim 8, wherein the upright support member is attached to the waist strap in a manner that permits the support member to rotate laterally with respect to the waist strap.

11. The carrier system of claim 8, wherein the upright support member further comprises at least one cushion situated on the wearer facing side.

12. The carrier system of claim 8, wherein the upright support member defines two triangular cutouts proximally disposed in opposing relation such that a portion of upright support member is sufficiently diagonal so that the upright support member is semi-rigid.

13. The carrier system of claim 8, wherein the two upper tabs define a tab top edge having a strap retention device to prevent the at least one shoulder strap from sliding laterally off the tab top edge.

14. The carrier system of claim 8, wherein the upright support member is a solid piece of polycarbonate.

15. A carrier system for use with a vest having a vest front, a flexible left shoulder strap, a flexible right shoulder strap, and a vest rear, the shoulder straps adapted to transfer a shoulder load to the shoulders of a wearer; the carrier system comprising: a flexible and adjustable waist strap adapted to encircle a wearer's waist, the waist strap having at least a first end and a second end and a fastening device for detachably securing the first end and second end; and an upright support member attached to the waist strap at a portion of the waist strap substantially mid-portion between the waist strap first end and second end and corresponding approximately to the wearer's back, the upright support member extending vertically for a desired length along the wearer's back; wherein the upright support member has a wearer facing side, an opposing exterior side, a central upper edge, and at least two upper tabs that extend upward in a vertical direction beyond the central upper edge and the height of the wearer's shoulders, but not exceeding the height of the wearer's chin and not substantially extending horizontally over the wearer's shoulders; wherein the at least two upper tabs extend upward from and are separated by the central upper edge and are situated at a lateral point on the upright support member corresponding to the wearer's shoulders, with the central upper edge situated at a vertical point on the upright support member corresponding no higher than the wearer's shoulders; wherein at least a portion of the shoulder load is transmitted downwardly through the at least two upper tabs of the upright support member to the wearer's hips; and wherein the upright support member, including the at least two upper tabs, is a solid body, the solid body being a single piece of material contoured to at least partially follow a contour of the wearer's back.

16. The carrier system of claim 15, wherein the central upper edge is about six to eighteen inches wide.

17. The carrier system of claim 15, wherein the upright support member is attached to the waist strap in a manner that permits the support member to rotate laterally with respect to the waist strap.

18. The carrier system of claim 15, wherein the upright support member defines a wearer facing side and an opposing exterior side, and further comprises at least one cushion situated on the wearer facing side.

19. The carrier system of claim 15, wherein the upright support member defines two triangular cutouts proximally disposed in opposing relation such that a portion of upright support member is sufficiently diagonal so that the upright support member is semi-rigid.

20. The carrier system of claim 15, wherein the at least two upper tabs define a tab top edge having a strap retention device to prevent the at least one shoulder strap from sliding laterally off the tab top edge.

21. The carrier system of claim 15, wherein the upright support member is a solid piece of polycarbonate.

22. The carrier system of claim 15, wherein the at least two upper tabs extend upward between 1.0 inches to about 3 inches above the adjacent central upper edge.

23. The carrier system of claim 15, wherein the vest rear defines a downwardly open support pocket on the vest rear, and further where the upright support member is adapted to engage with the downwardly open support pocket such that the upright support member may then receive a shoulder load via the shoulder strap.

24. The carrier system of claim 23, wherein the at least two upper tabs are adapted to receive a shoulder load via the shoulder strap.

25. The carrier system of claim 15, wherein the vest further comprises at least one armor pouch capable of receiving a ballistic armor insert.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIGS. 1A and 1B are isometric views of embodiments of the invention.

(2) FIG. 2 is a sectional view of an embodiment of the invention.

(3) FIGS. 3A and 3B show a shoulder load with straps on an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(4) The present disclosure relates to a carrier apparatus and carrier system for use with garments such as body armor vests. With reference to the drawings, the present disclosure is a carrier system that enables ambulatory activity by transferring the load from the shoulders to the hips of the user without overloading the back of the user. The carrier system may take any of a variety of embodiments disclosed herein.

(5) As may be seen in FIGS. 1-2, an embodiment of the carrier apparatus 1. The belt 5 includes a flexible and adjustable waist strap 10 having an upright support member 15 attached to the belt 5 at the mid-portion 20 of the strap corresponding approximately the center of the waist strap 10 which will approximate the middle of the wearers back. The waist strap 10 has at least a first end 12 and a second end 13 that are releasably closable with a fastening system 14 which may include a clasp, buckle, hook and loop, clamp, clip or other device for securing the ends of the waist strap 10 or belt 5 in front of a wearer, generally where a belt buckle would reside near to the center of the hips. The upright support member 15 extends in a vertical manner along and for approximately the length of a wearer's back. The support member 15 has a central upper edge 25 and a wearer facing side 17 and an opposing exterior side 18. The support member 15 is from one to eighteen inches in width and may have sides that are relatively parallel to each other or of specific shapes such as a narrow base at the belt 5 and a widening at the central upper edge 25 of six to eighteen inches to accommodate shoulder widths. The support member 15 may be perforated or shaped for removal of unnecessary weight without compromising the load bearing integrity. For example, as detailed in FIG. 1B, support member 15 may define one or more cutouts 15C or perforations to reduce weight and enhance breathability. In some embodiments, as shown, support member 15 may define two proximal triangular cutouts 15C in opposing relation. That is, with cutouts 15C defined from opposing sides, proximally disposed, such that a portion of the support member 15 is in the form of a substantial diagonal running along the wearer's back between cutouts 15C, leaving an overall Z-shape. In this embodiment, support member 15 may be adapted to a desired level of deformation upon impact, narrowing the cutouts 15C and absorbing some of the shock in a manner of semi-rigid response without the need for the additional structure of a shock absorber, such as a coil spring or sprung dashpot.

(6) The material of the upright support member 15 may be rigid or semi-rigid and made of metal or plastic, polycarbonate, acrylic, carbon fiber or a combination of materials including structural foam with the thickness of material relative to the vertical loading. However, polycarbonate has proven to be an effective and light weight material sufficient to bear the weight of contemplated loads at a relatively reasonable expense, and further is reasonably amenable for use in manufacture.

(7) The central upper edge 25 extends in the vertical direction, at or below the height of the wearer's shoulders (not shown). The upright support member has the central upper edge 25 and features at least two upper tabs 30 or elevated points that extend in a vertical direction greater than the height of the wearer's shoulders. The concept of tab 30 is to lift the load from the shoulder, so it may simply be an elevated or upper portion of support member 15 without reaching or extending over the shoulder of the wearer. The at least one tab 30 may be a first tab 32 and a second tab 33 situated on the central upper edge 25 at a point corresponding to the wearer's shoulders. The spacing of the first tab 32 to the second tab 33 is between 6 inches and 18 inches allowing for a shoulder strap from an additional back borne load (FIG. 3) to be properly placed such that the load is in the proper position on the wearer's back and only the shoulder straps contact the first tab 32 and or the second tab 33. This prevents the shoulder straps from contacting the top most part of the shoulders and thus bearing the weight through the respective tabs 30 and through the upright support member 15 downwardly to the user's hips. Adjustments to the shoulder straps do not change the shoulder strap position on the two upper tabs 30 above the shoulder. In this configuration, the upright support member 15 central upper edge 25 height is below the at least one tab 30. This prevents interference with the neck of a wearer. Generally the two upper tabs 30 are from 0.1 inches to about 3.0 inches above the adjacent central upper edge 25. In relation to the height of the upright support member 15, the ratio may be between 5-16% percent. The two upper tabs 30 may be vertical or curvilinear (See, e.g., FIGS. 3A & B) to conform to the back of a wearer's shoulder contour. Tabs 30 might also be in the form of raised portions of a rough V-shape. The tab end 31 on the two upper tabs 30 may be substantially flat and perpendicular to the upright support member, angled or shaped with features such as an indentation, concave, vee, one or more ribs, convex or undulating to retain the pack straps on the two upper tabs 30. Undulating is defined as having a curvature along the shoulder and a curvature of one or more sides similar to a wave. This is to be distinguished from extending substantially over a shoulder in a horizontal manner.

(8) The difference in height between the two upper tabs 30 and the central upper edge 25 allows for the user to look up without contacting the central upper edge 25 of the upright support member 15. Also, for the optional embodiment shown, the upright support member 15 is be ergonomically contoured to follow the contour of the wearer's back.

(9) In some embodiments, upright support member 15 may be attached to the belt 5 at mid-portion 20 in a manner that permits the upright support member 15 to rotate laterally with respect to the waist strap as a wearer might lean from side to side. The optional pivoting attachment 35 may be a single point such as a central pin or multiple points. In addition, some embodiments may have an upright support member 15 that further has at least one cushion 40 situated on a side facing the back or hips of the wearer, as shown in FIG. 2.

(10) FIG. 2 also shows a carrier system 2 for use with a body armor vest 45. In this example, the carrier system 2 includes a vest 45 having a downwardly open support pocket or support guiding sleeve 50 on the interior portion of the back of the vest 45 in relation to the user. The downwardly open support pocket or guiding sleeve 50 is marginally larger than the upright support member 15 so that it might slide over the two upper tabs 30 and the upright support member 15 until the two upper tabs 30 and/or the central upper edge 25 are fully engaged within the downwardly open support guiding sleeve 50 thereby removeably securing the vest 45 to the carrier apparatus 1. The words pocket or sleeve are intended to convey a receiving fabric cavity, such that when upright support member 15 and support sleeve 50 (i.e., with such sleeve closed at an upper end) are engaged or mated, then vest 45 is operably supported or carried by support member 15. The central upper edge 25 and first tab 32 and second tab 33 may be adapted to the contour and shape of the closed end of the downwardly open support pocket or sleeve 50, so as to mate closely or more securely engage. The downwardly open support pocket or guiding sleeve 50 may range in length from the full height of the vest 45 to a portion of the height of the vest 45. The downwardly open support guiding sleeve 50 may have features, such as receptacles, at the closed end to accommodate the two upper tabs 30.

(11) Also shown in FIG. 2 is a vest 45 with a fabric outer coating where the vest 45 has at least one armor pouch 55 adapted to receive a ballistic armor insert 57. The armor pouch 55 may be closed at the bottom and closeably open at the top or closed at the top and be closeably open at the bottom, as in the case of waterborne personnel. The vest 45 also has a first shoulder strap 61 and a second shoulder strap 66. The vest 45 has at least one downwardly open support pocket or guiding sleeve 50, at least one flexible first side portion 60 connecting the vest front 47with the vest rear 48, and at least one flexible second side 65 portion connecting the vest front 47 with the vest rear 48. The upright support member 15 has a central upper edge 25, and is adapted to engage with or be inserted into the downwardly open support guiding sleeve 50, at which point the central upper edge 25 of the upright support member 15 receives a load (FIG. 3) that would otherwise be borne solely by the shoulders of the wearer.

(12) The load shown in FIG. 3A may be installed on the carrier apparatus 1 or the carrier and vest system 2, interchangeably.

(13) Optionally, the upright support member 15 has the central upper edge 25 below the shoulder height approximately at the junction of the seventh cervical vertebrae and the first dorsal vertebrae and the two upper tabs 30 extending in a vertical direction above the height of the wearer's shoulders.

(14) As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3A, 3B, the upright support member 15 may be ergonomically contoured to follow the contour of a wearer's back, but without upper tabs 30 or support member 15 extending horizontally over, or arching, substantially over the wearer's shoulder. In this case, substantially over or extending may be understood as breaking a transverse vertical plane 70 (FIG. 3B) running through the center of the shoulder.

(15) The present approach is directed to communicate a downward force along the essentially upright support member 15, so as to load belt 5 downwardly at the hips of the wearer, as illustrated with arrow 75. An extension in a horizontal direction over the shoulders of the wearer, while possibly lifting the straps off shoulders, would displace the force away from the support memberi.e., away from arrow 75. Substantially extending over the shoulder can unnecessarily create a bending moment on the device. To address this moment, that design would require choosing a material with suitable flexural rigidity, such as a stiff, expensive form of carbon fiber. In addition, such a bending moment could create undesirable coupling forces as the device may attempt to pivot about the wearer. This might apply a horizontal force to belt 5, causing it to press against the abdomen.

(16) In some embodiments, upright support member 15 may be attached to the belt 5 in a manner that permits the support member to rotate laterally with respect to the belt 5. In other embodiments, upright support member 15 may define two cutouts as discussed above; appropriately sized cutouts in opposing edges may enable a semi-rigid support member 15 that provides similar rotary flexure.

(17) In some embodiments, upright support member 15 may further comprises at least one cushion 40 situated on a side facing the back of the wearer.

(18) In the foregoing description, it will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art that modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the concepts disclosed herein. Thus, while the description above refers to particular embodiments, it will be understood that many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit thereof.