Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to apparatuses and systems for load distribution and more specifically to apparatuses and systems that help redistribute loads on a user.
There are instances when a user needs to carry a heavy load or needs to insure that the load that they are carrying does not cause unwanted fatigue. The user may be a warfighter, a first emergency responder, athlete, manual labor worker, a medical patient, a person with an injury, or someone looking to prevent injury.
While many vests are capable of carrying items that carry a portion of the load being supported by the user, they are typically securely attached to the user through belts, straps, and etc. The weight of the vest and equipment is, in general, predominantly borne by the user's shoulders and back, which is a factor that can lead to physical distress, may limit mobility, and/or can cause injuries.
There are load-bearing structure such as backpacks that do strap to the user's waist and shoulders. However, these devices inhibit movement and distribute the load to the user's shoulders and back.
Thus there is a need for a device/system that provides less restrictive user movement while distributing a load to more portions of a user's body.
Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to apparatuses and systems for load distribution and more specifically to apparatuses and systems that help redistribute loads on a user.
For example, in one embodiment of apparatus an upper back-plate includes shoulder supports and a connector. The apparatus also includes an articulating spine adapted to connect to the upper back-plate connector. The articulating spine includes a plurality of vertebra. Each vertebra includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal bore. The proximal end of each vertebra is adapted to mate with either a distal end of another vertebra or the upper back-plate connector. Compressible discs are provided having a bore adapted to reside between the proximal end and distal end of each vertebra. A lower back-plate includes a receiving portion adapted to receive one end of the articulating spine. A cord interconnects each vertebra in said plurality of vertebra by insertion of the cord through the vertebrae bores, a bore in the upper back-plate, and a bore in a lower back-plate. The lower back-plate is adapted to connect to a hip mounted belt.
Other embodiments are provided that include apparatuses and systems having features similar to the system described above.
So that the manner in which the above recited features of the present invention can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.
To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals have been used, wherever possible, to designate identical elements that are common to the figures.
In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a more thorough understanding of the invention. As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, however, various changes using different configurations may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. In other instances, well-known features have not been described in order to avoid obscuring the invention. Thus, the invention is not considered limited to the particular illustrative embodiments shown in the specification and all such alternate embodiments are intended to be included in the scope of the appended claims.
In short, material taught herein incorporates a loadbearing frame architecture that helps support the weight of a user's equipment and allows the user to shift the weight bearing down on the user's shoulders and hips. In various embodiments, the concept has three major components (i.e., a back frame, an articulating loadbearing column, and a hip belt mounting plate) described in greater detail below.
This application incorporates by reference, for all purposes, all of the material contained within U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/313,476 filed on Jun. 24, 2014 and entitled “CENTRAL OSTEOARTICULAR RELIEF AND PERFORMANCE STRUCTURED LOAD DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM (“CORPS-LDS”) DEVIDE AND MODULAR SCALABLE VEST (“MSV”) SYSTEM.”
The back frame 102 includes shoulder supports 108, a cage area 110, and a ball socket (not shown in
The cage area 110 is below the shoulder supports 108. In various embodiments, the cage area 110 is a frame in which various items can be inserted (e.g., a hard armor insert, equipment storage). Illustratively, the cage area 110 is a five-sided box with the top completely open to act as an insertion point 116 for the items. The cage portion 118 that touches the user's back has large openings 120 on either side of the user's spinal column to reduce weight.
In various embodiments, the side of the cage area 110 furthest away from the user's body has an access area(s). Illustratively, these access areas are described herein (and depicted in the figures) as being formed by slats 110. Illustratively, the slats 110 are a plurality of vertical and horizontal members that can be spaced at 1 inch intervals vertically and spaced at 1⅛ inch horizontally that allows for pouches and accessories to be attached directly to the back frame. However, this illustration is not intended in any way to limit the scope of the material taught herein. It is appreciated that in various embodiments, the side of the cage area 110 furthest away from a user can include more or less vertical members and further appreciated that the members (if included) can have other shapes/orientations with respect to cage area 110.
In various embodiments, the case area 110 has a curvature similar to the curvature of an Enhanced Small Arms Protective Insert.
A bottom section of the cage area 110 includes a portion adapted to receive the articulating column/spine 104.
In various embodiments, the bottom section (i.e., base) of the cage area 110 has a protrusion that includes a ball socket (not shown in
The articulating column/spine 104 includes discs 214 and ball/sockets 206. The discs 214 and ball/sockets 206 are described in greater detail below.
The mounting plate 106 is secured (e.g., via rivets) to a hip belt (not shown) and is typically positioned on the hip belt so that it is located at the small of the back on the body of the user. Although not shown in the
The cord/cable that is through the entire length of the bore in the articulating column/spine 104 terminates on one end at the bottom of the cage area 110 (as indicated above). The other end of the cord/cable terminates in a portion of the mounting plate 106 in some manner that keeps tension on the ball/sockets 206 and discs 214. The cable/cord has enough elasticity to allow the user to bend and allow for the spinal column to disengage during motion and then reengage when the user stands upright.
As explained below, the support and load distribution can be tailored to the needs of the user. For example, in various embodiments taught herein, the cable/cord can be swapped with a cable/cord providing a tension level more suited to the needs of the user. In addition, the discs 214 can also be swapped for discs that provide a compression level more suited for the user. The user's needs can be, but is not limited to, related to a medical condition(s) or a specific activity (e.g., carrying construction loads, sports/recreational activity loads, emergency first responder loads, and/or a desired load capacity).
In
In
There is a plurality of discs 214 in the articulating spine 104. For illustrative purposes only,
Further, the descriptions/depictions of the protrusion 200 as having a substantially circular vertebra 202 and vertebrae portions 210 as having a substantially circular shape is for illustratively purposes only and is not intended in any way to limit the scope of the material taught herein. It is appreciated that in various embodiments, the vertebrae 202, vertebrae portions 210, and discs 214 have shape that is other than substantially circular.
The stem 400 is located between the ball joint 212 and the vertebrae portion 210. Each spine member 206 includes a stem 400 (i.e., 4001, 4002, . . . , etc. and are collectively referred to herein as “stems 400”).
Each disc 214 includes a concave portion 402 (i.e., 4021, 4022, . . . , etc. and are collectively referred to herein as “concave portions 402”) and a substantially flush portion 404 (i.e., 4041, 4042, . . . , etc. and are collectively referred to herein as “substantially flush portions 404”).
As indicated above, a bore 406 runs through the longitudinal axis of spine members 206. When the spine members 206 are aligned and interconnected with the discs 214 a cord/cable (not shown) is strung through the aligned bores 406. The discs 214 slide over the ball joint 212 and stay securely in place. The discs 214 allow the user to bend at the hips, side-to-side, and front to back. When the user bends, the disc 214 will compress and the nested ball and sockets will slide and pivot allowing the user to move. When the user is standing or moving upright, a portion of the load from the cage area 102 will transfer down through the articulated spine 104 and to the mounting plate 106.
The mounting plate 106 to the belt includes a tube 502 having two ends. One end of the tube 502 includes a ball socket 504 that is adapted to receive a ball joint 212. The tube 502 also includes a bore 506 that runs through the entire tube 502 and aligns with the bores on the vertebrae 206. The other end 508 of the tube 502 includes a mechanism (not shown) for locking an end of the cord that has passed through the tube 502. For example, in various embodiments, the locking mechanism is a swage on the end of the cord that fits within a cutout portion on end 508 that is adapted to receive and secure the end of the cord.
The cage area 602, spine 604, hip support belt 608, and shoulder support 612 operate substantially similar to the description of
System 700 includes side flanges 710, bottom flanges 714, and straps 718 to secure the air cylinders 716 to the cage area 702. Note that the cage area 702 is contoured to accommodate the intended load (i.e., the air cylinders 716).
A bottom portion of the cage area 102 is depicted in
The mounting bracket 904 also includes a “T-bar” mount 906 for insertion of the cord/cable into the mounting bracket 904. This allows a user multiple ways in which to make adjustments to a load system (e.g., to change cord/cable to one having different tension characteristics or change the entire spine 104).
As used herein, the terms “having,” “containing,” “including,” “comprising” and the like are open ended terms that indicate the presence of stated elements or features, but do not preclude additional elements or features. The articles “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural as well as the singular, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof is determined by the claims that follow.
This application claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/894,059, filed on Oct. 22, 2013, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the U.S. Government for governmental purposes without the payment of any royalties thereon or therefor.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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61894059 | Oct 2013 | US |