DEVICE FOR SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE IN CARRYING LOADS

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for supporting the carrying of loads with a hip belt according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] It is known that manually carrying loads can strain a person's body, particularly their back. Therefore, devices to assist with carrying loads are known. DE 20 2007 014 U1 discloses a carrying strap that can be attached to a transport box or beverage crate and placed over the shoulder to transfer the weight of the box or crate to the shoulder. DE 20 2018 107 422 U1 discloses a carrying aid with an angled element that can be worn over the shoulder by means of a strap and transfers the weight of a load to the shoulder. However, transferring the weight force to the shoulder places additional strain on the spine.

[0003] DE 299 13 362 U1, for example, discloses a carrying aid with a belt worn around the waist, which uses loops to transfer the load to the shoulders of the person carrying it. A movable front flap can be folded forward over the lower abdomen of the person. A load can be placed on the front flap, thus assisting in carrying heavy loads. With this carrying aid, the weight is also transferred to the shoulders.

[0004] WO 2015 / 066793 A1 discloses a further hip belt for support when carrying loads. EP 2 810 579 A1 is also cited as prior art.

[0005] The object of the invention is to provide a device for supporting the carrying of loads, which better relieves the spine when carrying loads and also makes it possible to carry loads with just one hand.

[0006] The object of the invention is solved by a device for supporting the carrying of loads with the features of claim 1.

[0007] Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

[0008] An inventive device for supporting the carrying of loads, comprising a hip belt with an inner side for contact with a person's body and an outer side, with a first end and a second end which can be connected to each other by means of a closure element, is characterized in that the hip belt has a back element for contact with a section of the person's back, and that a first hip belt section is arranged on the back element, wherein at least one, preferably several, outwardly projecting first support element is arranged on the outer side of the first hip belt section at such a distance from the back element that, when contacted with the person's body, it is positioned laterally against the person's body. A projecting support element enables the attachment of a load without an additional handle.Positioning a support element at the side of the person's body allows a load to be placed on the hip, thus transferring the weight force to the hips. This avoids additional strain on the spine or shoulders. Because the load is placed at the hip, the center of gravity is generally less shifted, reducing the risk of excessive lumbar lordosis (swayback). Furthermore, this placement of the support element at the side of the person's body enables balanced carrying with just one hand.

[0009] A particularly preferred embodiment of the invention provides that a second hip belt section is arranged on the back element, wherein at least one, preferably several, outwardly projecting second support element is arranged on the outside of the second hip belt section at such a distance from the back element that, when placed against the person's body, it is positioned laterally against the person's body and, in particular, on the opposite side from the first support element. This enables support when carrying a load on either side of the person. One-sided strain on the person when carrying loads can thus be avoided.

[0010] When the following text refers to a hip belt section, this includes the first hip belt section and / or the second hip belt section. Similarly, when the following text refers to a storage element, this includes the first storage element and / or the second storage element.

[0011] Preferably, the storage element is made of rigid foam, particularly rigid foam with a hardness greater than 55 Shore A. Rigid foam allows for simple manufacturing. Furthermore, such rigid foam can conform to the anatomy of the person's body to a certain extent. Moreover, the rigid foam can provide sufficient support for bearing the load.

[0012] An advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the storage element is detachably arranged on the hip belt section. This allows for easy replacement of the storage element, for example, to use a suitable storage element for different loads to be carried.

[0013] Preferably, the storage element can be hooked into a corresponding recess on the hip belt section, or it can be attached to the hip belt section using a dovetail guide. Both of these attachment methods ensure reliable fastening and easy replacement.

[0014] The closure element is preferably designed as a zipper. Such a closure element is easy to open and close and is as unobtrusive as possible.

[0015] Advantageously, the hip belt is adjustable in width to allow for adaptation to different anatomical shapes of people.

[0016] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, at least the first hip belt section, preferably the first and second hip belt sections, are detachably arranged on the back element. On the one hand, such a design allows for separation for cleaning purposes. On the other hand, such a design allows for adjustment of the width of the hip belt.

[0017] Preferably, at least the first hip belt section, or preferably both the first and second hip belt sections, has a free end guided through a loop arranged on the back element, wherein the free end can be fixed in different positions to a fastening section of the hip belt section, preferably by means of a hook-and-loop fastener. Such a design allows for easy adjustment of the waist belt width.

[0018] Advantageously, the back element is higher than the hip belt, which allows for good stabilization of the back.

[0019] A particularly preferred embodiment of the invention provides that a support strap is arranged between an upper section of the back element and the first hip belt section and / or the second hip belt section. This support strap is adjustable, particularly in its length, preferably by having its free end guided through a loop arranged on the back element. The free end can be fixed in different positions to a fastening section of the support strap, preferably by means of a hook-and-loop fastener. Such a support strap can distribute the forces acting on the hip belt, particularly in the hip area, to the back element and counteract the formation of an exaggerated lumbar curve.

[0020] Preferably, the device according to the invention is expandable to enable further support functions, for example within the framework of an exoskeleton. Advantageously, an upper back element and / or two shoulder straps and / or two leg straps are arranged, in particular detachably, on the device to enable such extended or additional functions.

[0021] The invention is explained in detail with reference to the following figures. They show Figure 1a a perspective view of a first embodiment of a device according to the invention for supporting the carrying of loads, Figure 1b the device according to Figure 1a in a state imposed on a person, Figure 2a another perspective view of the device according to Figure 1a , Figure 2b the device according to Figure 2a in a state imposed on a person, Figure 3aa front view of the device according to Figure 1a, Figure 3b the device according to Figure 3a in a state imposed on a person, Figure 4a a rear view of the device according to Figure 1a, Figure 4b the device according to Figure 4a in a state imposed on a person, Figure 5a a side view of the device according to Figure 1a , Figure 5b the device according to Figure 5a in a state imposed on a person, Figure 6 the person according to Figure 5b with a load Figure 7 an exploded view of the device according to Figure 1a, Figure 8 a front view of a second embodiment of a device according to the invention for supporting the carrying of loads with extensions to an exoskeleton, Figure 9 a rear view of the exoskeleton as shown in Figure 8, Figure 10 a perspective view of the exoskeleton according to Figure 8 , Figure 11an exploded view of the exoskeleton according to Figure 8 and Figure 12 the exoskeleton according to Figure 8 in a state applied to a person.

[0022] The Figures 1a to 7 Figure 1 shows various views of a first embodiment of a device 10 for assisting in carrying loads, partly separately and partly in the state attached to a person 100. The same reference numerals denote identical or functionally equivalent parts in all figures. For clarity, not all reference numerals are shown in all figures.

[0023] The device 10 has a hip belt 20 with an inner surface 20a for contact with the body of a person 100 and an outer surface 20b. The hip belt 20 is designed in particular as a substantially elongated element which is intended to be placed around the waist of the person 100 and rests in particular on the hip of the person 100 (cf. Figure 1bThe hip belt 20 further comprises a first end 21 and a second end 22, which can be connected to each other by means of a fastening element 25. The fastening element 25 can, for example, be designed as a hook and loop fastener. Preferably, the fastening element 25 is designed as a zipper in order to enable the hip belt 20 to fit as precisely as possible without any protruding elements.

[0024] The hip belt 20 has a back element 30 for attachment to a section of the back of person 100 (see in particular Figures 2a and 2bThe back element 30 forms, in particular, a stiffened section to support the spine and to counteract the formation of an exaggerated lumbar curve under load. The back element 30 can, for example, be designed as a hard shell. This allows the back element 30 to be designed with the thinnest possible wall thickness of less than 2 cm, preferably less than 1 cm, in order to minimize its bulk.

[0025] The back element 30 can be made at least partially, preferably entirely, from a dimensionally elastic material. The dimensionally elastic material can be, for example, metal or plastic, with plastic generally being preferred due to its lower weight. The dimensionally elastic material preferably has a modulus of elasticity of more than 600 N / mm², more preferably a modulus of elasticity of more than 1000 N / mm², for example, a modulus of elasticity of 5000 N / mm². If the back element 30 is made partially from a dimensionally elastic material, it can, for example, be made of a textile fabric with an inserted element made of a dimensionally elastic material.

[0026] A first hip belt section 40a is arranged on the back element 30. The first hip belt section 40a can be made of an elastic textile fabric. The first hip belt section 40a comprises the first end 21 of the hip belt 20 and also has a free end 41 with which the first hip belt section 40a is attached to the back element 30. It is possible that the second end 22 is formed on the back element 30 and that the first end 21 is attached to the second end 22 arranged on the back element 30 for closing the hip belt 20. Preferably, however, a second hip belt section 40b is arranged on the back element 30. The second hip belt section 40b can be made of an elastic textile fabric. The second hip belt section 40b comprises the second end 22 of the hip belt 20 and also has a free end 41 with which the second hip belt section 40b is attached to the back element.Such a design allows, in particular, the arrangement of the fastening element 25 approximately in the area in front of the navel of person 100. Furthermore, such a design allows, in particular, a symmetrical construction of the hip belt 20.

[0027] The hip belt 20 can be adjusted in width. This can be achieved by appropriately designing the fastening element 25, for example in the style of a belt or by means of a hook and loop fastener.

[0028] Alternatively or additionally, at least the first hip belt section 40a, preferably the first hip belt section 40a and the second hip belt section 40b, can be detachably arranged on the back element 30. For this purpose, the free end 41 of the hip belt section 40a, 40b can be guided through a loop 31 arranged on the back element 30. The loop 31 can, for example, be designed as a metal ring, which in particular has an elongated shape (see in particular [reference]). Figure 7The free end 41 can be fixed in different positions to a fastening section 42 of the hip belt section 40a, 40b. A hook-and-loop fastener is preferably provided for this purpose, with a hook-and-loop section on the free end 41 and a loop section on the fastening section 42, or vice versa. In this way, the width can be easily varied by the person 100. If both hip belt sections 40a, 40b are detachably attached to the back element 30 in this way, the width can be varied, in particular, such that the fastening element 25 is located in the area of ​​the person 100's navel for all widths, and a symmetrical arrangement of the hip belt 20 on the person 100 is possible.

[0029] On the outer surface 20b of the first waist belt section 40a, at least one outwardly projecting first support element 50a is arranged at a distance A from the back element 30 such that, when the belt is applied to the body of person 100, it is positioned laterally against the body of person 100, particularly in the area above the pelvic bone. The support element 50a can extend along the waist belt section 40a to the vicinity of the fastening element 25. The support element 50a can have a height HA of several centimeters in the direction perpendicular to the outer surface 20b of the waist belt 20, for example, in the range of 3 cm to 15 cm, particularly in the range of 6 cm to 10 cm. The support element 50a can have several projections 50a-2 arranged side by side on a base element 50a-1 to allow for better adaptation of the support element 50a to different widths of the waist belt 20.Several individual storage elements 50a can also be arranged side by side in this area. It is advantageous that the storage element 50a, when placed against the person 100, is located in the area above the pelvic bone, in order to allow a load to be carried with one arm to be placed at the hip.

[0030] As in Figure 6 The design, such that the storage element 50a, 50b extends into the area in front of the abdomen of person 100, enables, on the one hand, the carrying of a load 110 with both hands and support on the storage element 50a, 50b in front of the abdomen, and on the other hand, the carrying of the load 110 with one hand and support either on the storage element 50a on the left side of person 100 or on the storage element 50b on the right side of person 100.

[0031] The storage element 50a can be made of a rigid foam, in particular a rigid foam with a strength of more than 55 Shore.

[0032] The storage element 50a can be detachably arranged on the hip belt section 40a. For example, the storage element 50a can be hooked into a corresponding recess on the hip belt section 40a, or the storage element 50a can be attached to the hip belt section 40a by means of a dovetail guide.

[0033] If a second hip belt section 40b is present, at least one, preferably several, outwardly projecting second support element 50b is arranged on the outer surface 20b of the second hip belt section 40b at such a distance A from the back element 30 that, when placed against the body of person 100, it is positioned laterally against the body of person 100 and, in particular, on the opposite side from the first support element 50a. Otherwise, the descriptions given above for the first support element 50a apply to the second support element 50b.

[0034] The back element 30 can have a greater height HR than the hip belt 20. For example, the hip belt 20 can have a height HH in the range of approximately 10 cm to 15 cm, for example, a height HH of approximately 12 cm. The back element 30 can have a height HR of 20 cm to 35 cm.

[0035] A support strap 60 is arranged between an upper section 32 of the back element 30 and the first hip belt section 40a. The support strap is adjustable, particularly in its length. The support strap has a free end 61, which can be guided, in particular, by a loop 33 arranged on the back element 30. The free end 61 can be fixed in different positions to a fastening section 63 of the support strap, preferably by means of a hook-and-loop fastener. The loop 33 can, for example, be designed as a metal ring, which in particular has an elongated shape (see in particular the figure). Figure 7 With a fixed end 62, the support belt 60 can be fixed to the first hip belt section 40a.

[0036] Likewise, a support belt 60 of the same type can be arranged between the upper section 32 of the back element 30 and the second hip belt section 40b.

[0037] The device 10 can be extended to an exoskeleton by adding additional components.

[0038] The Figures 8 to 12 Figure 1 shows various views of a second embodiment of a device 10' for supporting the carrying of loads, which has been extended to an exoskeleton with additional components. Device 10' differs from the one previously described based on the Figures 1 to 7 The described device 10 is essentially distinguished by the design of the back element 30 and by the fact that no support straps 60 are present.

[0039] The device 10' has a back element 30' which, in its upper section, can be connected to an upper back element 70. The upper back element 70 can be of such a length that, together with the back element 30', it forms an element which, when worn by the person 100, extends from the hip area to the upper back or neck area. In particular, the upper back element 70 can also rest on the shoulders of the person 100 at its end furthest from the hip belt 20. The back element 30' and the upper back element 70 can be adjustable in length and fixed relative to each other.

[0040] The upper back element 70 can have two shoulder straps 80, each with a first end 81 and a second end 82. In the following, shoulder straps 80 are understood to be the elements that fix the upper back element 70 to the back of the person 100 when the upper back element 70 is applied to the person 100. The shoulder straps 80 can be arranged on the back element 30 in a length-adjustable manner. The shoulder straps 80 can be made of a webbing material, for example, a woven webbing.

[0041] On the hip belt 20, in particular on the back element 30`, two leg straps 90 can be arranged in addition to or as an alternative to the upper back element 70, in particular such that, in the state of the device being applied to the person 100, they run from the hip over the buttocks of the person 100 and lie against the legs (see Figure 12The leg straps 90 have a first end 91 and a second end 92. The leg straps 90 are preferably detachably arranged with their first end 91 on the hip belt 20, in particular on the outside 20b of the hip belt 20, for example by means of a hook 95, a snap buckle, or alternatively in the manner of a belt closure, or by means of a hook-and-loop fastener or other closure. The leg straps 90 are in particular designed to be length-adjustable.

[0042] A knee element 96 can be arranged at the second end 92 of the leg band 90 in order to fix the leg band 90.

[0043] The leg ligaments 90 and / or the knee element 96 can be made, at least partially, of an elastomer. The elastomer can, in particular, have a modulus of elasticity of less than 600 N / mm², preferably a modulus of elasticity of less than 150 N / mm², most preferably a modulus of elasticity of less than 100 N / mm², and preferably a modulus of elasticity of about 30 N / mm².

[0044] The leg bands 90 can support the person 100 in standing up after bending over or squatting. Reference symbol list

[0045] 10 Device 10' Device 20 Waist belt 20a Inside 20b Outside 21 First end 22 Second end 25 Closure element 30 Back element 30' Back element 31 Loop 32 Upper section 33 Loop 40a First waist belt section 40b Second waist belt section 50a First storage element 50a-1 Base element 50a-2 Projection 50b Second storage element 41 Free end 42 Attachment section 60 Support strap 61 Free end 62 Fixed end 70 Upper back element 80 Shoulder strap 81 First end 82 Second end 90 Leg strap 91 First end 92 Second end 95 Hook 96 Knee element 100 Person 110 Load Distance HH Height HRH Height HAH Height

Claims

1. Apparatus (10, 10') for rendering support while carrying loads, having a waist belt (20) with an inner side (20a) for application onto the body of a person (100) and with an outer side (20b), having a first end (21) and a second end (22) which are connected to each other by means of a locking element (25), wherein the waist belt (20) comprises a back element (30, 30') for application onto a section of the back of the person (100) and a first waist belt section (40a) is arranged on the back element (30, 30'), characterized in that, on the outer side (20b) of the first waist belt section (40a), at least one, preferably numerous, outwardly protruding first support elements (50a) is(are) arranged at such a distance (A) to the back element (30, 30') that, when worn on the body of the person (100), is arranged to one side on the body of the person (100).

2. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that a second waist belt section (40b) is arranged on the back element (30, 30'), wherein, on the outer side (20b) of the second waist belt section (40b), at least one, preferably numerous outwardly protruding second support elements (50b) are arranged in such a distance (A) to the back element (30, 30') that, when worn on the body of the person (100), is arranged to one side on the body of the person (100) and, in particular, on the side opposite that of the first support element (50a).

3. Apparatus in accordance with either of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support element (50a, 50b) is made of a rigid foam material, in particular, of a rigid foam material having a hardness of more than 55 Shore.

4. Apparatus in accordance with any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support element (50a, 50b) is detachably arranged on the waist belt section (40a, 40b).

5. Apparatus in accordance with any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support element (50a, 50b) can be suspended in a corresponding recess on the waist belt section (40a, 40b) by means of a hook or in that the support element (50a, 50b) can be attached to the waist belt section (40a, 40b) by means of a dovetail guide.

6. Apparatus in accordance with any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking element (25) is implemented as a zip fastener.

7. Apparatus in accordance with any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the waist belt (20) is adjustable in width.

8. Apparatus in accordance with any of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least the first waist belt section (40a), preferably the first waist belt section (40a) and the second waist belt section (40b), is(are) detachably arranged on the back element (30, 30').

9. Apparatus in accordance with any of the preceding claims, characterized in that a free end (41) of at least the first waist belt section (40a), preferably of the first waist belt section (40a) and of the second waist belt section (40b) is fed through a loop (31) arranged on the back element (30, 30'), wherein the free end (41) can be secured in various positions on an attachment section (42) of the waist belt section (40a, 40b), preferably by means of a hook and loop fastener.

10. Apparatus in accordance with any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the back element (30, 30') comprises a greater height (HR) than the waist belt (20).

11. Apparatus in accordance with any of the preceding claims, characterized in that, between an upper section (32) of the back element (30) and the first waist belt section (40a) and / or the second waist belt section (40b), a support belt (60) is arranged which is adjustable, in particular, in length, preferably in that a free end (61) of it is fed through a loop (33) arranged on the back element (30), wherein the free end (61) can be secured in various positions on an attachment section (63) of the support belt (60), preferably by means of a hook and loop fastener.

12. Apparatus in accordance with any of the preceding claims, characterized in that an upper back element (70) and / or two shoulder belts (80) and / or two leg belts (90) are arranged, in particular, detachably, on the apparatus (10').