Load distribution systems and load carrying equipment
OwnerRandall Alleyinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A load carrying device to be worn on a user's limb is described. The load carrying device has a distal cuff, a proximal cuff, and several elongated compression members. The ends of the elongated compression members removably attach to the distal and proximal cuffs, and are designed to compress the limb's soft tissue and stabilize the bone. The alternative of compression and relief zones captures lost motion between the limb and the device when the device is worn on the user's limb. The load carrying device can be used in conjunction with a load distribution system.
Claims23
A load carrying and force distributing device to be worn on a user's limb having soft tissue and a bone structure, comprising:
- a first support member;
- a second support member;
- a plurality of elongated compression members including a first elongated compression member a second elongated compression member wherein each of the first, second and third elongated compression members couples with each of the first and second support members;
- wherein the first and second support members coupled with the first, second, and third elongated compression members are sized and dimensioned to be worn on the limb at locations that do not interfere with joint articulation;
- and
- wherein the first and second support members coupled with the first, second, and third elongated compression members are sized and dimensioned to compress the soft tissue against the bone structure to thereby reduce motion of the bone structure towards a wall of the load carrying and force distributing device when worn on the limb.
A method of fitting a load carrying and force distributing device to a limb of the person, the load carrying and force distributing device comprising a first support member, a second support member, and first, second, and third elongated members that each couple to the first support member and to the second support member, the method comprising the steps of:
- selecting the first support member and the second support member to fit around a first portion and a second portion of the limb, respectively, wherein the first portion has a first dimension and the second portion has a second dimension;
- selecting a length of the first, second, and third elongated compression members that extends between the first portion and the second portion of the limb;
- placing the first support member around the first portion of the limb;
- placing the second support member around the second portion of the limb;
- coupling each of the first, second, and third elongated compression members with the first and second support members at locations on the limb that do not interfere with joint articulation;
- and
- adjusting a distance of the first, second, and third elongated compression members from a bone in the limb so as to compress soft tissue against the bone and reduce motion of the bone towards a wall of the load carrying and force distributing device.
A load carrying and force distributing device to be worn on a user's limb having soft tissue and a bone structure, comprising:
- a first support member;
- a plurality of elongated compression members including a first elongated compression member, a second elongated compression member, and a third elongated compression member;
- wherein each of the first, second, and third elongated compression members couples with the first support member at locations on the limb that do not interfere with joint articulation;
- and
- wherein the first support member and the first, second, and third elongated compression members are sized and dimensioned to compress the soft tissue against the bone structure to thereby reduce motion of the bone structure towards a wall of the load carrying and force distributing device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.