CARRYING ARRANGEMENT

Abstract

A carrying arrangement for carrying loads, in particular tools and/or implements, includes at least one carrying belt, in particular a shoulder belt and/or a hip belt, on the body of a user. The length of the carrying belt is adjustable in order to be adapted to the body size of the user and/or the carrying situation. The carrying belt is formed from at least three belt segments which can be positioned relative to one another in order to adjust the length of the carrying belt. A first belt segment is adjustable in discrete increments relative to a second belt segment and a third belt segment is steplessly adjustable relative to the first belt segment and/or the second belt segment.

Claims

1. A carrying arrangement for carrying loads by a user, the carrying arrangement comprising: a carrying belt on a body of the user and said body having a body size; said carrying belt having a length adjustable to be adapted to the body size of the user and/or the carrying situation; said carrying belt being formed by at least first, second and third belt segments positioned relative to one another to adjust said length of said carrying belt; and, said first belt segment being adjustable in discrete increments relative to said second belt segment and said third belt segment being steplessly adjustable relative to at least one of said first belt segment and said second belt segment.

2. The carrying arrangement of claim 1, further comprising: a first fixation device configured to fix said first and second belt segment against a movement relative to one another; said first fixation device being formed by a first part and second parts compatible with said first part; said first belt segment having said first part and said second belt segment having at least two of said second parts; and, said two second parts being arranged at a discrete spacing to one another in a longitudinal direction of said second belt segment.

3. The carrying arrangement of claim 2, wherein said first belt segment is formed by a flat band-shaped section and said first part of said first fixation device is arranged on said first belt segment.

4. The carrying arrangement of claim 2, wherein said first part of said first fixation device is configured as a holding projection.

5. The carrying arrangement of claim 4, wherein said holding projection is configured integrally on said first belt segment.

6. The carrying arrangement of claim 4, wherein said holding projection is configured in a hook-shaped manner having a predetermined length partially overlapping the second part with a part of said length in the longitudinal direction of said second belt segment.

7. The carrying arrangement of claim 2, wherein said second belt segment has a cushion section and a cushion and the two second parts are arranged in a cushioned section of said second belt segment; and, said cushion is compressed for changing the discrete adjustment of said length.

8. The carrying arrangement of claim 1, further comprising: a first fixation device configured to fix said first and second belt segments against a movement relative to one another; a second fixation device fixing said third belt segment against a movement relative to said first belt segment or a movement relative to said second belt segment ; a free belt end having a length protruding from said second fixation device; and, said length of said free belt end being changed as a function of a position of said second fixation device which can be steplessly displaced relative to a longitudinal direction of the corresponding belt segment.

9. The carrying arrangement of claim 8, wherein the belt segment associated with said free belt end has a length of less than 50 cm.

10. The carrying arrangement of claim 8, wherein the belt segment associated with said free belt end has a length of less than 40 cm.

11. The carrying arrangement of claim 8, wherein the belt segment associated with said free belt end has a length of less than 25 cm.

12. The carrying arrangement of claim 1, wherein at least two first belt segments can be fixed to a second belt segment in discrete increments.

13. The carrying arrangement of claim 12, wherein said at least two first belt segments are fixed to the same second belt segment in the discrete increments.

14. The carrying arrangement of claim 12, wherein at least three first belt segments are fixed to a second belt segment in the discrete increments.

15. The carrying arrangement of claim 1, wherein at least four first belt segments are fixed to a second belt segment in discrete increments.

16. The carrying arrangement of claim 1, wherein said carrying belt comprises a shoulder belt and a hip belt; said shoulder belt has at least said first belt segment and said second belt segment; and, said third belt segment is configured on said hip belt.

17. The carrying arrangement of claim 1, wherein said carrying belt comprises a shoulder belt and a hip belt; said shoulder belt has at least said first belt segment and said second belt segment; and, said third belt segment is part of said shoulder belt and is connected to said hip belt.

18. The carrying arrangement of claim 17, wherein the third belt segment is connected to said hip belt so as to be unchangeable in terms of length.

19. The carrying arrangement of claim 1, wherein said carrying belt is a shoulder belt and/or a hip belt.

20. The carrying arrangement of claim 1, wherein said carrying arrangement is provided for carrying tools and/or implements.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0020] The invention will now be described with reference to the drawings wherein:

[0021] FIGS. 1A, 1B show a schematic side view of a carrying arrangement according to a first embodiment;

[0022] FIGS. 2A, 2B show a schematic side view of a carrying arrangement according to a second embodiment;

[0023] FIG. 3 shows a schematic side view of a carrying arrangement according to a third embodiment;

[0024] FIGS. 4A, 4B show a schematic view of a shoulder belt of a carrying arrangement according to a fourth embodiment;

[0025] FIG. 5 shows a schematic front view of a carrying arrangement according to the third embodiment with an alternative shoulder belt;

[0026] FIG. 6 shows a detailed view of a first fixation device; and,

[0027] FIGS. 7A, 7B show a schematic view of a hip belt of a carrying arrangement according to a fifth embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 3 and 5 show schematically a carrying arrangement 1 with a carrying belt 2 which includes two shoulder belts 3, 4 and a hip belt 5. One or more loads 7 can be attached to the carrying arrangement 1. The load 7 can be, in particular, a battery pack, forestry tool or a motor-driven working implement which is transported or operated. To this end, a transport bracket 72 to which the load is connected can be provided on the carrying belt.

[0029] The left-hand shoulder belt 3 which is not visible - from the viewpoint of the useris identical to the right-hand shoulder belt 4. The shoulder belt 3, 4 includes a front section 24 and a rear section 25 relative to the user. In the embodiment according to FIGS. 1A and 1B the carrying arrangement 1 includes a back plate 6 to which the rear sections 25 and front sections 24 of the shoulder belts 3, 4 are attached. In the embodiment according to FIGS. 2A, 2B, 3 and 5 the rear sections 25 and the front sections 24 of the shoulder belts 3, 4 are connected to the hip belt 5. It can be practical to provide a transverse connection between the shoulder belts 3, 4 in order to prevent the shoulder belts 3, 4 from slipping to the side. The rear sections 25 can remain separate, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, or can form a common rear section 25, as shown in FIG. 5.

[0030] The carrying belt 2 is composed of a plurality of belt segments 10, 20, 30 which are fixed relative to one another via at least one first fixation device 40 and at least one second fixation device 50. The first fixation device 40 permits a discrete adjustment of the associated belt segments 10, 20 relative to one another, and the second fixation device 50 permits a stepless adjustment of the associated belt segments 10, 30 relative to one another. In the embodiments according to FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 3 and 5, the front section 24 of the shoulder belt 3, 4 can be adjusted in terms of its length discretely via the first fixation device 40 and steplessly via the second fixation device 50. Additionally, in the embodiments according to FIGS. 2A, 2B, 3 and 5, the rear section 25 of the shoulder belt 3, 4 can also be discretely adjusted in terms of its length via a further first fixation device 40. In FIG. 1A or 2A the shoulder belt 3, 4 has been shortened discretely in terms of its length relative to FIG. 1B or 2B exclusively by the first fixation device(s) 40. The free belt end 51 protruding from the second fixation device 50 has the same length L.sub.51 in spite of the adaptation of the carrying belt 2 to a small body size.

[0031] The detailed construction of the first fixation device 40 and the second fixation device 50 is described hereinafter by way of the embodiment according to FIGS. 4A and 4B, but applies to all of the embodiments contained in the description. The same elements are provided with the same reference signs.

[0032] FIGS. 4A or 4B show a shoulder belt 3, 4 of a carrying arrangement 1 in which the left-hand shoulder belt 3 and the right-hand shoulder belt 4 are connected together by a transverse connection. The shoulder belt 3, 4 has two front sections 24 and two rear sections 25, wherein a first fixation device 40 is arranged in all sections 24, 25. Additionally, in each case a second fixation device 50 is arranged on the front sections 24. The first fixation device 40 fixes a first belt segment 10 relative to a second belt segment 20. The second fixation device 50 fixes a first belt segment 10 relative to a third belt segment 30.

[0033] The first belt segment 10 is configured as a band 18 and has on its first end 11 a first part 41 which is configured as a holding projection 75. In an alternative variant, the holding projection 75 can also have a spacing from the first end 11 of the first belt segment 10, wherein the spacing corresponds in particular to at most 20%, quite in particular to at most 10% of the length L.sub.10 of the first belt segment. The second belt segment 20 is configured as a cushion part 28 and has a set of second parts 42, 43, 44. The first part 41 and the set of second parts 42, 43, 44 form the first fixation device 40. In the embodiment, the set of second parts 42, 43, 44 includes three second parts 42, 43, 44 which are arranged at equal spacings from one another. A greater number of second parts 42, 43, 44 per set, in particular 4, 5 or 6 thereof, can also be provided, in particular when the spacing a between the upper faces 65 of the second parts 42, 43, 44, which corresponds to the size of the discrete increment d, is to be reduced and/or a larger adjustment length has to be provided. The possible adjustment length on the first fixation device 40 is generated by the overlap u of the first and second belt segment. By repositioning the first part 41 from the upper(most) second part 42 to the lower(most) second part 43, 44, the overlap u is reduced and thus releases a length which corresponds to the spacing a, a of these two upper faces 65 of the second parts 42, 43, 44. By repositioning the first part 41 from the lower(most) second part 43, 44 to the upper(most) second part 42, the overlap u is increased and a length which corresponds to the spacing a, a of these two upper faces 65 of the second parts 42, 43, 44 is fixed.

[0034] The size of the discrete increment d, that is, the spacing a, a, between the upper faces 65 of two adjacent second parts 42, 43, 44, for example, is at least 4 cm and at most 12 cm, in particular at most 6 cm. The closer the discrete increments d, the more increments are required in order to achieve a desired adjustment length and optionally a first part 41 has to be passed through all the more second parts 42, 43, 44. On the other hand, the discrete increment d should also not be greater than the adjustment length which is able to be provided steplessly. In this manner, any length L.sub.2 of the carrying belt 2 can be provided from the combination of the discrete and stepless adjustment of the length. The length L.sub.2 of the carrying belt 2 has a minimum discrete length L.sub.2min with a maximum overlap u.sub.max and a maximum discrete length L.sub.2max with a minimum overlap u.sub.min. These discrete lengths can be adapted further by the stepless adjustment of the length.

[0035] If first fixation devices 40 are arranged on the carrying belt 2 on the front and on the rear, for example, they can both be adjusted by the same discrete increments d, so that the carrying belt 2 is not displaced to the front or rear. As a result, with a shoulder belt 3, 4 according to FIG. 4A or 4B when adjusted by a discrete increment d, in each case a length change is produced of in particular at least 8 cm and at most 24 cm, quite in particular at most 12 cm on the front section 24 and rear section 25 of the shoulder belt 3, 4. With an adjustment by two discrete increments d the length change doublesif the discrete increments d are of the same size. With a set consisting of three second parts 42, 43, 44 which are arranged at increments of 6 cm, for example, a length change of 24 cm can be achieved thereby. This adjustment length no longer needs to be provided by the second stepless fixation device 50, so that the belt segments on the second adjusting device could be shortened overall by 24 cm. With a carrying arrangement according to the prior art without an additional discrete adjustment of the length, the entire adjustment length has to be kept on the stepless fixation device 50, whereby the length L.sub.51 of the free belt end 51 is relatively large when setting to a small body size.

[0036] It is shown on the right-hand front section 24 of the shoulder belt 4 how the first part 41 of the first belt segment 10 and the uppermost second part 41 of the second belt segment 20 cooperate in order to fix the two belt segments relative to one another. The holding projection 75 is hooked into the uppermost bracket 66. In the embodiments shown, the holding projection 75 is configured to be hook-shaped and engages behind the bracket 66. In an alternative embodiment, the holding projection 75 can also abut against the upper face of the bracket 66, that is, not engage behind the bracket 66. The length L.sub.10 of the first belt segment 10 is selected such that the second lower end 12 of the first belt segment 10 is still below the second belt segment 20 even when the first part 41 is fixed to the uppermost second part 41. In other words, the length L.sub.10 of the first belt segment 10 is larger than the spacing between the upper face 65 of the uppermost second part 42 and the lower end 21 of the second belt segment 20. Such a configuration results, on the one hand, in the first belt segment 10 being fixed to the selected second part 42, 43, 44 and, on the other hand, the first belt segment 10 still being able to be guided along its length L.sub.10 by the other second parts 42, 43, 44 of this set. The second parts 42, 43, 44, to which the first part 41 is not fixed, guide the second belt segment 20 which extends therethrough. In order to obtain a guidance of the first belt segment 10, as is shown on the left-hand front section 24, when hooking the first part 41 onto the lowermost second part 44, a guide bracket 73 is provided between the lowermost second part 44 and lower end 21 of the second belt segment 20. The guide bracket 73 has a reduced height in the longitudinal direction 82 of the second belt segment 20 relative to the second parts 42, 43, 44 which are configured as brackets 66.

[0037] The second part 42, 43, 44 which is configured as a bracket 66 is connected, in particular stitched, on its wide sides 67 to the second belt segment 20, and is open at the upper ends 68 located therebetween, whereby an open channel 69 is formed in the longitudinal direction 82 of the second belt segment 20. The top upper end forms the upper face 65 of the second part 42, 43, 44. The wide sides 67 run, in particular, parallel to a longitudinal edge of the second belt segment 20. The width B.sub.69 of the channel 69 corresponds to the spacing of the wide sides 67. The depth of the channel 69 is approximately zero, that is, the bracket 66 and the cushion 28 of the second belt segment 20 bear flat against one another. As the depth of the channel 69 in the initial state is approximately zero, when the first part 41 is inserted through the second part 42, 43, 44 the cushion 28 initially has to be compressed and a part of the width B.sub.69 of the channel 69 converted into a depth of the channel 69. The specified dimensions refer to the undeformed state of the second part 42, 43, 44. The length L.sub.69 of the channel 69 corresponds to the spacing of the upper ends 68 and is measured in the longitudinal direction 82 of the second belt segment 20. The length L.sub.69 of the channel 69 is in particular at most 50% to 100%, quite in particular at most 60% to 80%, of the width B.sub.69 of the channel 69, that is, the channel 69 is shorter than it is wide. The first belt segment 10 which is configured as a band 18 has a width B.sub.18 measured transversely to the longitudinal direction 81 of the first belt segment 10. The width B.sub.18 of the band 18 is, for example, between 60% and 90% of the width B.sub.69 of the channel 69. In this manner, the first belt segment 10 is easily guided at the sides by the wide sides 67 of the bracket 66 but at the same time can still be pushed through the channel 69 using normal manual force. The length L.sub.75 of the holding projection 75 measured in the longitudinal direction 81 is in particular between 80% and 120%, quite in particular between 90% and 110%, of the length L.sub.69 of the channel 69. As a result, the holding projection 75 can be inserted from below into a bracket 66 and gripped from above and pulled out from the bracket 66. The width B.sub.18 of the band 18, for example, is 2 cm to 5 cm, in particular approximately 2.5 cm. The length L.sub.69 of the channel 69 and the length of the holding projection 75, for example, are in each case 2 cm to 5 cm, in particular approximately 2.5 cm. The width B.sub.69 of the channel 69, for example, is 2.5 cm to 6 cm, in particular 3 cm to 4 cm.

[0038] The spacing of adjacent brackets 66 from one another is, in particular, between 100% and 300% of the length L.sub.69 of the channel 69. The spacing is, in particular, 2 cm to 10 cm, in particular 2 cm to 5 cm. As a result, on the one hand, the holding projection 75 can be easily threaded into the bracket 66 and, on the other hand, the first belt segment 10 is guided tightly through the further second parts 42, 43, 44. FIG. 6 shows a detailed view of the first fixation device 40 from which it can be seen that the channel 69 running between the upper ends 68 of the bracket 66 is configured to be narrower than the thickness of the first part 41 arranged at the first end 11 of the first belt segment 10. When inserting the first part 41, the cushion 28 is compressed in the region of the bracket 66 and the channel 69 is widened thereby. After the first part 41 is pulled out from the channel 69, the cushion 28 is relieved of load again and the channel 69 becomes narrower and bears slightly against the first belt segment 10. The friction between the bracket 66, the first belt segment 10 and the cushion 28 of the second belt segment 20 reduces the tendency for the first belt segment 10 to slip in the channel 69. In FIG. 6 it can be identified that the first belt segment 10, which is configured as a band 18, is wound back on its first end 11 and thus is configured to be thickened. A seam 77 running in the upper half, in particular in the upper third, of the winding and transversely to the longitudinal direction 81, holds the winding together and forms the first part 41 which is configured as holding projection 75. A plastics plate 76 can be wound-in therewith, in order to increase the stiffness of the holding projection 75 further. Alternatively, it is possible to provide more winding turns which are connected, in particular, together, for example by adhesive or stitching. Due to the increased stiffness, the holding projection 75 can be pushed more easily through the narrow channel 69. Moreover, the holding projection 75, which is configured in a hook-shaped manner in the embodiments, is prevented from being folded over.

[0039] The second fixation device 50 fixes the first belt segment 10, which is configured as a band 18, relative to a third belt segment 30. For displaying the different variants, the left-hand front section 24 of the shoulder belt 3 and the right-hand front section 24 of the shoulder belt 4 are shown configured differently in FIG. 4A or 4B. The third belt segment 30 can be part of the shoulder belt 3, 4, as on the right-hand front section 24 of the shoulder belt 4 shown by way of example in FIG. 4A or 4B or in FIGS. 1A or 1B and 2A or 2B. The third belt segment 30 can alternatively also be part of the hip belt 5, as shown by way of example on the left-hand front section 24 of the shoulder belt 3 in FIG. 4A or 4B or in FIG. 3. The third belt segment 30 can accordingly be configured as a band 18 or cushion part 28. The second fixation device 50 can be formed by a buckle 52, in particular a ladder lock buckle, clip or similar element. At least one free belt end 51, which can be pulled in order to reduce steplessly the length L.sub.2 of the carrying belt, protrudes from the second fixation device 50. As long as no adjustment is carried out on the second fixation device 50, the length L.sub.51 of the free belt end 51 protruding therefrom does not change. For the stepless adjustment of the length it is irrelevant whether the free belt end 51 is associated with the first belt segment 10 or the third belt segment 30, that is, the second fixation device 50, in particular the buckle 52, clip or the like, is connected to the one or the other belt segment so as to be unchangeable in terms of length. Only the position at which the free belt end 51 is arranged on the carrying belt 2, and how this is oriented relative to the carrying belt 2, is changed. If the free belt end 51 is configured on the same belt segment, as well as the first part 41, however, there is the option of the user simply pulling on the free endas is usual in conventional carrying beltsinstead of hooking up the first part 41 by one or more discrete increments d. In order to avoid a long free belt end 51 being produced as a result of this behavior, it is possible to provide on this belt segment a stop 79 which does not hinder the discrete adjustment of the length but cannot pass the second fixation device 50. As a result, the adjustment length of the stepless adjustment of the length and the free belt end 51 associated therewith is limited. In the simplest case, this incorrect operation can be avoided when the free belt end 51 of the second fixation device 50 is not configured on the same belt segment as the first part 41 of the first fixation device 40.

[0040] In an embodiment according to FIG. 3, the free belt end 51 is configured on the first belt segment 10. A stop 79 which limits the first belt segment 10 to be pulled through to a specific length can be provided on the first belt segment 10, in order to avoid a long belt end 51. The second fixation device 50 is configured as a reversible partition location between the shoulder belt 3, 4 and the hip belt 5. In all other embodiments the shoulder belt 3, 4 can also be connected, in particular hooked on, to the hip belt 5 at a reversible partition location 80.

[0041] In an embodiment according to FIG. 7A or 7B, the hip belt 5 can be adjusted discretely and steplessly in order to be adapted to the body size of a user. The hip belt 5 can be part of the carrying arrangements 1 according to the embodiments according to FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 3, 4A and 4B and form the carrying belt 2 together with the shoulder belt 3, 4. Alternatively, the hip belt 5 can also form the carrying belt 2 alone. At least one first fixation device 40 and one second fixation device 50 are arranged on the hip belt 5. The second belt segment 20 has at its ends 21, 22 in each case a set of second parts 42, 43, 44, which form a first fixation device 40, in each case with a first part 41 of a first belt segment 10. The one first belt segment 10 and the other first belt segment 10 can be fixed to one another via a second fixation device 50, in particular in the form of a buckle 52. At least one free belt end 51, which can be pulled in order to reduce steplessly the length L.sub.2 of the carrying belt 2, protrudes from the second fixation device 50. One of the two first belt segments 10 forms the third belt segment 30. The statements relative to the first fixation device 40 and to the second fixation device 50 relating to the embodiments already disclosed can also be applied to this embodiment. In order to avoid duplication, reference is made to these points in the description of the figures, wherein the same elements are provided with the same reference signs.

[0042] It is understood that the foregoing description is that of the preferred embodiments of the invention and that various changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.