Patent Application
20230380577
The present application claims priority to German Patent Application No. 20 2022 103 036.7 filed on May 30, 2022. The entire contents of the above-listed application are hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes.
The present disclosure relates to a carrying system for an item of equipment comprising a load carrier which can be carried via shoulder straps, the load carrier comprising a carrying plate having multiple recesses, at least one clamping element and at least one positioning element, wherein the at least one clamping element and the at least one positioning element are each arranged or arrangeable on at least one recess of the carrying plate.
Such a carrying system is known from document US 2022/0007818 A1. The carrying system shown in this publication is used for transporting chain saws, circular saws or hammers, such as those required by firefighters, and allows these items of equipment to be transported on the back in the manner of a backpack. The items of equipment are clamped to the carrying plate by one or more clamping straps, while the positioning elements serve as stops that prevent the items of equipment from slipping out. The shoulder straps are attached to slots in the carrying plate.
It is true that in US 2022/0007818 A1 some of the positioning elements are slidably mounted on slotted holes, so that the carrying system can be adapted to slight differences in the items of equipment. However, it is still tailored to a very specific application. In addition, it is difficult to brace the items of equipment to the system in such a way that it is immovably fixed to the carrying plate. Furthermore, it is not adaptable to the respective wearer.
It is therefore the object of the present disclosure to provide an improved carrying system.
This object is solved in several aspects by the systems described herein.
In a first independent aspect, the present disclosure comprises a carrying system for an item of equipment comprising a load carrier which can be carried via shoulder straps, the load carrier comprising a carrying plate having a plurality of recesses, at least one clamping element and at least one positioning element, wherein the at least one clamping element and the at least one positioning element are each arranged or arrangeable on at least one recess of the carrying plate. The first aspect is characterized in that a plurality of positioning elements are provided, against which the item of equipment can be clamped by the clamping element, wherein the positioning elements are arranged or arrangeable on both sides of the course of the clamping element, so that the item of equipment rests against the positioning elements on both sides of the clamping element in the clamped state. The item of equipment is thereby securely fixed to the load carrier.
In one possible embodiment, it is provided that the positioning elements and the clamping element are arranged or can be arranged in such a way that the load is applied to the carrying plate exclusively via the clamping element or elements and the positioning elements. This achieves improved fixation and prevents wear on the carrying plate.
In a possible embodiment, it is provided that the positioning elements and the clamping element are arranged or arrangeable such that the equipment item is fixed by the at least one clamping element between positioning elements arranged on both sides of the clamping element and on both sides of a main direction of the item of equipment running transversely to the clamping element.
In a second independent aspect, the present disclosure comprises a carrying system for an item of equipment, in particular a carrying system such as described herein, comprising a load carrier which can be carried via shoulder straps, wherein the load carrier comprises a carrying plate having a plurality of recesses, at least one clamping element and at least one positioning element, wherein the at least one clamping element and the at least one positioning element are each arranged or arrangeable on at least one recess of the carrying plate. The second aspect is characterized in that an outer contour of the at least one positioning element has a shape tapering in one direction and/or a rotationally symmetrical cross-section. As a result, secure clamping with the positioning elements is possible and the positioning elements can be used for any item of equipment.
In one possible embodiment, a part of the at least one positioning element that has a shape tapering continuously in one direction has a height that is at least 20% of the total height of the positioning element, preferably at least 50%.
In one possible embodiment, it is provided that the outer contour of the at least one positioning element has a shape that tapers continuously in one direction, in particular a cross-section that tapers continuously in one direction.
In one possible embodiment, it is provided that the outer contour of the at least one positioning element has a rotational symmetry, in particular an n-numbered rotational symmetry with n greater than or equal to 2, preferably greater than or equal to 3 or 6, and/or in particular a cylindrical symmetry. With an n-numbered rotational symmetry, the outer contour is mapped back into itself for each rotation through an angle of 360°/n or a multiple thereof. A regular hexagon therefore has, for example, a 6-count rotational symmetry. In a cylindrical symmetry, rotations by arbitrary angles map the outer contour back into itself.
In one possible embodiment, it is provided that the one direction and/or axis of symmetry is perpendicular to the carrying plate and/or coincides with the longitudinal axis of a screw by means of which the positioning element is screwed and/or screwable to the carrying plate.
In one possible embodiment, it is provided that the item of equipment has a tapering shape in that region in which it rests on a positioning element. In this case, the positioning element itself need not have a tapering shape to achieve the effect described above. The positioning element can, for example, have a flat top side and/or a cylindrical shape.
In a third independent aspect, the present disclosure comprises a carrying system for an item of equipment, in particular a carrying system such as described herein, comprising a load carrier which can be carried via shoulder straps, wherein the load carrier comprises a carrying plate having a plurality of recesses, at least one clamping element and at least one positioning element, wherein the at least one clamping element and the at least one positioning element are each arranged or arrangeable on at least one recess of the carrying plate. The third aspect is characterized in that the carrying plate is sewn into a fabric pocket and/or consists of an aluminum-plastic laminate material. This provides a conveniently usable, stable and lightweight configuration.
In one possible embodiment, it is provided that the recesses in the carrying plate are formed by holes, wherein cutouts are provided in the material of the fabric pocket which match the holes, wherein the cutouts are preferably cut out of the fabric by means of a laser.
In one possible embodiment, it is provided that the carrying plate is connected and/or connectable to the shoulder straps via the fabric pocket.
In one possible embodiment, it is provided that the connection is a releasable connection.
In one possible embodiment, it is provided for one or more fastening elements to be provided on the fabric pocket for attachment with the shoulder straps.
The shoulder straps can be attached to the load carrier indirectly via another element or directly.
In a fourth independent aspect, the present disclosure comprises a carrying system for an item of equipment, in particular a carrying system such as described herein, comprising a load carrier which can be carried via shoulder straps, wherein the load carrier comprises a carrying plate having a plurality of recesses, at least one clamping element and/or at least one positioning element, wherein the at least one clamping element and the at least one positioning element are each arranged or arrangeable on at least one recess of the carrying plate. The fourth aspect is characterized in that the load carrier is fastened and/or fastenable to a carrying frame on which the shoulder straps are arranged, in particular is releasably fastened and/or fastenable. This allows a particularly comfortable carrying as well as a modular structure.
In one possible embodiment, it is provided that the carrying frame further comprises a waist belt, wherein the carrying frame preferably connects the shoulder straps and the waist belt to one another.
In one possible embodiment, the at least one clamping element and the at least one positioning element are directly connected, in particular screwed, to the supporting plate of the load carrier, while the at least one clamping element and the at least one positioning element are not directly connected to the carrying frame, but only indirectly via the connection of the load carrier to the carrying frame.
In one possible embodiment, the carrying frame is an independent element, which can be carried by a wearer in the manner of a backpack. The load carrier can be releasably attached to this carrying frame.
In particular, the positioning elements and the clamping elements can be connected to the load carrier while the load carrier is not attached to the carrying frame, and the load carrier can releasably connected to the carrying frame with the positioning elements and the clamping elements already connected to it.
The first through fourth aspects of the present disclosure are each per se and independently subject matter of the present disclosure.
However, the aspects can also be combined in arbitrary manner. For example, the first aspect may be combined with the second aspect, the third aspect, or the fourth aspect. Similarly, the second aspect may be combined with the third aspect or the fourth aspect. Similarly, the third aspect may be combined with the fourth aspect. Furthermore, three aspects may also be combined with each other in any combination. Likewise, all four aspects can be combined with each other.
Possible embodiments of all four aspects, as well as any combinations of these aspects, are described in greater detail below.
In one possible embodiment, a maximum width of the at least one positioning element and preferably of several or all of the positioning elements, measured in a direction parallel to the carrying plate, is at least 20% of the height of the respective positioning element or positioning elements, the height being measured in a direction perpendicular to the carrying plate, wherein both the maximum width and height are measured in a state where the positioning element or elements are fastened to the carrying plate. Preferably, the maximum width is at least 30% of the height, further preferably at least 40%, further preferably at least 50% and at least 60%.
In one possible embodiment, a lower surface of the at least one positioning element and preferably of several or all of the positioning elements abuts on a main surface of the carrying plate, and a pin of the positioning element reaches into and/or through the recess for connecting the respective positioning element to the carrying plate.
In one possible embodiment, a width of a lower surface of the at least one positioning element is at least twice as large as a diameter of the pin and/or the recess, preferably at least three or four times as large.
In one possible embodiment, the pin is part of a screw connection and has a screw thread for being screwed into a screw hole of the positioning element or of a nut provided on a back side of the carrying plate.
In one possible embodiment, the outer contour of the positioning elements is formed by an elastic material, in particular rubber. In particular, the positioning elements can be rubber elements.
In one possible embodiment, the carrying system comprises a plurality of identical positioning elements.
In one possible embodiment, the carrying system comprises one or more first and second positioning elements that have different sizes and/or different shapes.
In one possible embodiment, it is provided for an outer contour of the one or more first positioning elements to have a shape that tapers in one direction and that for one or more second positioning elements to have the shape of a circular cylinder.
In one possible embodiment, it is provided for the first and second positioning elements to have an outer contour that tapers in one direction, but to have different sizes.
In one possible embodiment, the carrying system includes one or more first, second, and third positioning elements that have different sizes and/or different shapes.
In one possible embodiment, it is provided for multiple and/or all positioning elements to have a rotationally symmetrical cross-section.
In one possible embodiment, the carrying system comprises at least 4 and preferably at least 5 or 6 positioning elements, wherein preferably at least 4 positioning elements are provided, the outer contour of which has a shape that tapers in one direction.
In one possible embodiment, it is provided for the one or more positioning elements and/or clamping elements to be screwed and/or screwable to the carrying plate.
In one possible embodiment, it is provided that a threaded pin is arranged on each of the positioning element(s) and/or clamping element(s) and is screwable to a nut provided on the rear side of the carrying plate facing the body of the wearer.
In one possible embodiment, it is provided that a female thread is arranged on each of the positioning element(s) and/or clamping element(s) and can be screwed to a screw the head of which is provided on the rear side of the carrying plate facing the body of the wearer.
In one possible embodiment, it is provided that the at least one clamping element comprises a strap element and a strap-receiving element, wherein the strap element is preferably made of plastic and/or has locking edges, and/or wherein the strap-receiving element preferably permits lashing of the strap element and in particular comprises a tensioning ratchet.
In one possible embodiment, it is provided that the strap element and/or the strap-receiving element are each arranged so as to be pivotable about an axis on a fastening element which can be fastened to a recess in the carrying plate.
In one possible embodiment, it is provided that the strap element and the strap-receiving element are arrangeable independently of one another on recesses of the carrying plate.
In one possible embodiment, it is provided that the strap element and the strap-receiving element are arranged on a common base element, via which they can be arranged on one or more recesses of the carrying plate.
In one possible embodiment, it is provided for the carrying plate to have a plurality of recesses arranged in a grid, at which the positioning element(s) and clamping element(s) can be arranged in different positions for adaptation to different items of equipment.
In one possible embodiment, it is provided that the carrying plate has a plurality of recesses which are specifically adapted in terms of their position to the item of equipment to be carried, and on which the positioning element or elements and clamping elements for holding the item of equipment are provided in a defined arrangement.
In one possible embodiment, the carrying system comprises a set of positioning elements and/or clamping elements that can be used in different combinations and/or arrangements to adapt to different items of equipment.
The present disclosure further comprises a set of a load carrying system as described above and the at least one item of equipment fastenable and/or fastened to the load carrier.
This results in the advantages already described above. In particular, the clamping element(s) and/or positioning element(s) are arranged on the load carrier in such a way that the item of equipment can be braced to these, as described above.
The present disclosure further comprises a load carrier for one of the carrying systems as described above. The load carrier thereby comprises a carrying plate having a plurality of recesses, at least one clamping element and/or at least one positioning element, wherein the at least one clamping element and the at least one positioning element are each arranged or arrangeable on at least one recess of the carrying plate, wherein these are configured as described in more detail above with respect to the carrying systems according to the disclosure.
The load carrier is connectable to shoulder straps in order to form a carrying system in accordance with the present disclosure.
Preferably, this can occur by connecting the load carrier to a carrying frame to which the shoulder straps are arranged, as described according to the fourth aspect.
The present disclosure further comprises the use of the carrying systems as described above for transporting an item of equipment.
The present disclosure will now be described in greater detail with reference to exemplary embodiments and drawings.
Shown are in:
A carrying system according to the present disclosure and a load carrier used therefor are shown in
The carrying system for an item of equipment 1 according to the disclosure comprises a load carrier 2, which can be worn on the back via shoulder straps 3.
The load carrier 2 comprises a carrying plate 4, on which at least one clamping element 6 and/or one positioning element 7 is arranged and/or can be arranged. For this purpose, the carrying plate comprises recesses 5 on which the clamping element 6 and/or the positioning elements 7 can be arranged.
In the exemplary embodiment, the recesses extend through the carrying plate 4, and in particular enable the clamping elements and/or positioning elements to be screwed to the carrying plate. As discernible in particular in
In the exemplary embodiment, each recess in the carrying plate defines a unique position for a clamping element and/or a positioning element. In alternative embodiments, however, the use of slotted holes would also be conceivable in order to be able to connect the clamping elements and/or positioning elements to the carrying plate at any position along such a slotted hole. However, the configuration shown in the exemplary embodiment with defined positions provided by the recesses increases stability and reduces wear. The recesses preferably have the form of circular apertures.
The exemplary embodiments described according to the disclosure implement all independent aspects of the present disclosure in combination. However, the specific embodiments described for the individual aspects can each also be used independently of one another.
According to a first aspect of the disclosure, as clearly discernible in
As can be taken in particular from
In the exemplary embodiment, at least two positioning elements 7 are provided on each side of the clamping element 6, so that on both sides of the clamping element the item of equipment is held on both sides with respect to its longitudinal axis running transversely to the clamping element by the positioning elements by being pressed against them by the clamping element.
In contrast to the prior art, the positioning elements are therefore not used to prevent slippage of the item of equipment clamped between the carrying plate and the clamping element. Rather, the clamping takes place with the positioning elements, and not with the carrying plate itself.
As shown in the exemplary embodiment in
According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, the outer contour of at least one positioning element tapers in one direction and/or the positioning element has its rotationally symmetric outer contour.
The one direction or axis of rotational symmetry is preferably perpendicular to the carrying plate, and can in particular coincide with the axis of the screw connection by means of which the positioning element can be screwed to the carrying plate.
The positioning elements 7 have an outer contour that tapers continuously in a direction away from the back of the wearer. The positioning elements 7 have a conical shape, with their outer contour being of convex shape in a longitudinal section.
The positioning elements 7′, on the other hand, are cylindrical with a flat top side.
In the exemplary embodiment, the positioning elements 7 and 7′ are designed as rotational bodies. However, they could also have a multiple symmetry.
As can be taken from the exemplary embodiments, preferably at least 4 positioning elements with a tapering outer contour are provided between which the item of equipment can be clamped. The cylindrical positioning elements 7′ can additionally be used to prevent contact of the item of equipment with the carrying plate and to enable secure clamping with the tapering positioning elements.
On the one hand, the shape of the positioning elements means that they can be used universally and independently of the specific shape of the item of equipment. On the other hand, the positioning elements, which are designed with a tapered outer contour, allow the item of equipment to be securely lashed, which enables the item of equipment to be fixed securely and without wobbling to the load carrier simply by lashing it between the clamping element and the positioning elements.
Other shapes for the outer contours of the positioning elements would also be conceivable. For example, these could also have a polygonal cross-section, for example be hexagonal or octagonal in shape. However, the circular cross-section enables even more secure positioning since clamping or tensioning does not depend on the rotational position of the positioning element relative to the item of equipment. Furthermore, cone-shaped positioning elements would also be conceivable.
Furthermore, depending on the item of equipment, only positioning elements with a flat top side, such as positioning elements 7′, can be used and positioning elements with a tapering outer contour can be dispensed with. If the item of equipment itself has a tapering contour, safe lashing is also possible using positioning elements having a flat top side.
As can be seen in particular in
According to a second variant of the third aspect, the carrying plate consists of an aluminum-plastic laminate material. In particular, at least 2 aluminum layers are provided in this case, between which extends at least one synthetic material layer. For example, the material may be Aluminum Dibond.
In this embodiment, the recesses 5 in the carrying plate 4 can be formed by holes. Corresponding cutouts are provided in the material of the fabric pocket, which match these holes 5. The cutouts are preferably cut out by a laser from the fabric from which the fabric pocket is made.
Sewing the carrying plate into a fabric pocket on the one hand increases user comfort, and on the other hand allows easier connection of the carrying plate to other components via the fabric pocket into which the carrying plate is sewn.
In particular, the carrying plate 4 can be connected or connectable to the shoulder straps 3 via the fabric pocket 14. Preferred is a releasable connection of the fabric pocket to the shoulder straps.
In particular, one or more fasteners may be provided on the fabric pocket for indirect or direct attachment with the shoulder straps.
In particular, the fabric pocket may be connectable, in particular releasably connectable, to a carrying frame to which the shoulder straps are arranged, and which will be described in more detail with respect to the fourth aspect below.
For example, the fabric pocket can have a downwardly open pocket in an upper area, with which it is pushed over an upper edge of the carrying frame. Likewise, fastening by means of zippers is possible.
A fourth aspect of the present disclosure can be taken from
The carrying frame may further comprise a waist belt 9. In particular, the carrying frame 8 connects the shoulder straps and the waist belt to one another.
The load carrier, and in particular the carrying plate 4, can preferably be releasably connected to the carrying frame 8. As described briefly above, this can be done, for example, by connecting the carrying plate to the carrying frame 8 via zippers and/or via a pocket which is slipped over the upper part of the carrying frame.
The carrying frame 8 therefore represents an independent element, which as such can be carried by a wearer in the manner of a backpack. The load carrier according to the disclosure can be releasably attached to this carrying frame 8.
Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, which may be used in any of the aspects of the disclosure, are described in more detail below.
In particular, several identical positioning elements can be used.
In particular, several identical positioning elements tapering in one direction, as have been described above, can be used.
Furthermore, several types of positioning elements can be used, which differ only by their size, in particular several types of positioning elements tapering in one direction, as described above.
Furthermore, in addition to or instead of these elements, one or more positioning elements, which have a flat top side, can be used.
The outer contour of the positioning elements is preferably formed by an elastic material, in particular rubber. In particular, the positioning elements can be rubber elements.
In the exemplary embodiment, the clamping elements 6, 6′ each comprise a strap element 12, which is received on a strap-receiving element 13 in order to tension the item of equipment with the positioning elements 7, 7′. The strap-receiving element 13 is in particular a tensioning ratchet with which the strap element 12 can be tightened.
The strap element 12 and the tensioning ratchet 13 are preferably each connected via a swivel joint to a fastening element, which in turn can be fastened to a recess in the carrying plate 4. In the case of the strap element 12, the corresponding fastening element is denoted by reference character 10. The strap element can be made of plastic. In one possible embodiment, it has locking edges which interact with the tensioning ratchet.
In the exemplary embodiment shown in
In the exemplary embodiment shown in
Preferably, however, it is also provided in this embodiment that the clamping element and the positioning elements are configured in such a way that the item of equipment is clamped only via the strap element 12 with the positioning elements, and does not come into contact with the base element 17. Alternatively, however, clamping with the base element could also be selected.
In the first exemplary embodiment shown in
The carrying system can be provided with a set of positioning elements 7 and/or clamping elements 6, which can be attached to the carrying plate 4 in a different arrangement depending on the item of equipment 1 to be transported, in order to securely transport the respective item of equipment 1.
The first exemplary embodiment shown in
In the second embodiment of the carrying system shown in
In this embodiment, the recesses 5 are therefore arranged irregularly, with a clamping element and/or positioning element being provided at each recess.
The carrying system according to the disclosure can be used in many fields. In particular, it allows the transport of items of equipment in the military field, especially the transport of weapons and/or weapon components.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 2022 103 036.7 | May 2022 | DE | national |
