Retractable load-carrying device with optimized weight distribution and quick-release mechanism

Abstract

A retractable load-carrying device is described herein, comprising a harness assembly configured to be worn on a user's torso, the harness assembly including a pair of shoulder straps and a hip belt configured to transfer at least a portion of a load to the user's hips, a rigid back-frame coupled to the harness assembly, at least one retractable arm mounted to the rigid back-frame, a linear guiding mechanism coupled to the rigid back-frame and configured to guide movement of the at least one retractable arm between a stored position in which the at least one retractable arm is positioned adjacent to the rigid back-frame and an extracted position in which the at least one retractable arm extends forward of the user, and a quick-release coupling mechanism coupled to a distal end of the at least one retractable arm and configured to releasably secure a load positioned in front of the user, wherein, in the extracted position, forces from the load are transferred through the at least one retractable arm to the rigid back-frame and the hip belt so as to reduce load borne by the shoulder straps.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.