Load bearing suspension system

Abstract

A load bearing suspension system having a belt having one or more belt attachment devices; a harness having one or more harness attachment devices, wherein the number of harness attachment devices corresponds to the number of belt attachment devices, and wherein each harness attachment device is capable of being releasably attached to a corresponding else attachment device; and an overgarment, wherein the overgarment includes one or more apertures formed therein for allowing a harness attachment device to pass therethrough such that a harness attachment device is able to pass therethrough so as to be attached to a corresponding belt attachment device.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 61 / 123,336, filed Apr. 8, 2008, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]This invention relates generally to load bearing and / or suspension systems. In particular, the present invention relates to an ergonomic load bearing and / or suspension system.[0004]2. Description of Related Art[0005]Military personnel, law enforcement officers, and other workers have traditionally carried most of the essential tools of their trade on their belts. Duty / tool belts, and the weight and shape of the equipment carried on them, not only cause discomfort and fatigue to the wearers wearing them, but over the years of the wearer's career often cause chronic physical problems, including serious back, leg, hip, and nerve ailments.[0006]The duty / tool belt that provides the foundation on which the wearer'...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0059]Various exemplary, non-limiting embodiments of this invention separately provide a load bearing and/or suspension system, which provides improved comfort and reduction of fatigue to those wearing equipment-laden duty/tool belts.

[0060]Various

Problems solved by technology

Duty/tool belts, and the weight and shape of the equipment carried on them, not only cause discomfort and fatigue to the wearers wearing them, but over the years of the wearer's career often cause chronic physical problems, including serious back, leg, hip, and nerve ailments.

The result of having a significant amount of equipment and/or weighty tools suspended or attached to a duty/tool belt is that all of the considerable weight of the duty/tool belt presses downward on the wearer's hips.

Tightening the belt in an attempt to keep it from sliding down increases the discomfort to the wearer's back, hips, and nerves.

Typically, the military and law enforcement communities place a high value on tradition and radical changes in uniform design are slow in coming.

Generally, the sharp, neat appearance of

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