Load bearing suspension system

Inactive Publication Date: 2011-09-08
VISTA OUTDOOR OPERATIONS
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0016]In order to alleviate the discomfort, fatigue, and chronic physical problems suffered by many military personnel, law enforcement officers, and others as the result of the weight of their equipment laden duty / tool belts pressing on their hips, nerves, and lower backs, the present invention relates to a suspender system that transfers at least some of the duty / tool belt's weight to the wearer's shoulders, relieving weight and pressure on the wearer's lower back and hips.
[0060]Various exemplary, non-limiting embodiments of this invention separately provide a load bearing and / or suspension system, which may reduce the incidence and / or severity of physical ailments commonly associated with the long-term wearing of duty / tool belts.

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 uniformed personnel and officers is of great importance, and even a minor deviation from the unit's or agency's dress code can subject the wearer to reprimand or discipline.
While such an extreme demand for consistency may now be largely a thing of the past, it is evident that any major deviation from a traditional uniformed military, law enforcement, and other appearance, such as wearing externally-visible suspenders, an equipment vest, or a uniform shirt with equipment pouches sewn into it, would be unacceptable to most military, law enforcement, and other agencies, and thus would not offer a practical solution to the duty / tool belt's physical problems for the majority of wearers who suffer—or will sooner or later suffer—from physical problems as a result of wearing a traditional duty / tool belt.

Method used

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Embodiment Construction

[0097]For simplicity and clarification, the design factors and operating principles of the load bearing suspension system according to this invention are explained with reference to various exemplary, non-limiting embodiments of a load bearing suspension system according to this invention. The basic explanation of the design factors and operating principles of the load bearing suspension system is applicable for the understanding, design, implementation, and operation of the load bearing suspension system of this invention.

[0098]It should also be appreciated that the “load bearing and / or suspension system”, “suspender”, and “non-suspender” are used for basic explanation and understanding of the operation of the systems, methods, and apparatuses of this invention. Therefore, the “load bearing and / or suspension system”, “suspender”, and “non-suspender” are not to be construed as limiting the systems, methods, and apparatuses of this invention.

[0099]Turning now to the drawing Figs., FI...

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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'...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): F41H1/02A41D13/00A41D1/04
CPCA45F3/14A41D13/0007
InventorMARX, THOMAS A.YEATES, ERICBUIS LII, CHARLES E.FERROS, SCOTT V.WEST, ZAC
OwnerVISTA OUTDOOR OPERATIONS