US 6,199,732 B1 · Load support system

Abstract

A load support system for carrying a load on a user's back includes a load support, first and second user engaging surfaces, and first and second arms extending between the load support and the first and second user-engaging surfaces, respectively. The load support includes a back panel configured to extend substantially parallel to the user's mid-coronal plane when worn. The first and second user-engaging surfaces are configured to engage the user on opposite sides of the user's mid-sagital plane when worn. The first and second arms are coupled to the back panel at first and second spaced locations along a first axis on opposite sides of the user's mid-sagital plane. The first arm has a first end pivotably coupled to the back panel about a second axis oblique to the first axis and oblique to a transverse plane of the user. The first arm further includes a second end coupled to the first user-engaging surface. The second arm has a third end pivotably coupled to the back panel about a third axis oblique to the first axis and oblique to the transverse plane of the user. The second arm further includes a fourth end coupled to the second user-engaging surface. In one exemplary embodiment, the load support system includes a body coupled to the back panel, wherein the first and third ends of the first and third arms are pivotably coupled to the body.

Claims35

Dependent claims

A load support mounting device for use with a load support, the mounting device comprising:

a body adapted to be coupled to the load support;
first and second user engaging surfaces;
and
first and second arms coupled to the body at first and second spaced locations along a first axis;
wherein the first arm has a first end pivotally coupled to the body at the first location about a second axis oblique to the first axis, and a second end coupled to the first user engaging surface;
and
wherein the second arm has a first end pivotally coupled to the body at the second location about a third axis oblique to the first axis, and a second end coupled to the second user engaging surface, whereby the body and the first and second user engaging surfaces pivot relative to each other about a fourth axis non-parallel to the first axis, wherein the second and third axes intersect below the first axis when the mounting device is worn by the user, whereby the second ends are urged towards one another in response to loads exerted on the load support in a downward direction wherein the first axis is located rearwardly of the user when the mounting device is worn by the user.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Load support system

Life of this patent

Load support system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims35