Anterior load carriage stability and mobility support system

A marching band instrument support assembly comprising:

• a carriage comprising a pair of shoulder supports, an abdominal plate, a first pair of support members coupling the shoulder supports to the abdominal plate, and a second pair of support members connected to the abdominal plate and configured for removably coupling to an instrument;
• and
• a support belt comprising a support mechanism having a pair of straps extending therefrom, the support mechanism configured for placement against the lumbar region of a user's back and the straps configured for removably coupling to at least one of the first and second support members, the support mechanism generally comprising three pieces of fabric joined about an outer periphery thereof, wherein a large piece of fabric is provided for a first side of the support mechanism to form an outside layer and two generally smaller pieces of fabric are provided for a second side of the support mechanism to form an inside layer, wherein a pocket is formed between the outside layer and the inside layer, wherein the two generally smaller pieces of fabric define an overlapping section whereby one or more fasteners provided therewith enable removable engagement of the two generally smaller pieces of fabric along at least a portion of the overlapping section, and whereby disengagement of the one or more fasteners provides access within the pocket by opening the overlapping section,
• wherein the carriage is supported by the shoulders and abdominal area of the user, and wherein with the support mechanism positioned against the user's lumbar region and pelvis and tightened by the straps, the contact pressure of the carriage at the shoulders is redistributed to the abdominal region and pelvis region of the user.

An anterior load carriage stability and mobility support system for a load carriage apparatus to be worn by a user and for contacting the shoulders and abdominal area thereof, the anterior load carriage stability and mobility support system comprising:

• a support mechanism for placement against the user's back, the support mechanism providing support for the posterior musculature of the user's lumbar region and pelvis, wherein the support mechanism generally comprises about three pieces of material joined about the outer periphery thereof, wherein a large piece of fabric is provided for a first side of the support mechanism to form an outside layer and two generally smaller pieces of fabric are provided for a second side of the support mechanism to form an inside layer;
• at least one strap coupled to the support mechanism for coupling the support mechanism to the load carriage apparatus;
• and
• a pocket formed between the outside layer and the inside layer.