Hip Belt Lateral Support Elements for Load Distribution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional devices for carrying loads often put additional strain on the spine and shoulders, as they shift the weight onto these areas, and fail to allow for balanced carrying with one hand.

Innovation Solution

A hip belt device with a back element and laterally arranged storage elements on the outside, which allows loads to be placed on the hips, reducing spinal strain and enabling balanced, one-handed carrying by distributing the weight to the hips, with adjustable features for anatomical fit and support.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If weight is transferred to the shoulder using a carrying strap or angled element, then the shoulder can bear the load, but additional strain is placed on the spine

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveload bearing capacityVSAvoidspinal strain
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the weight-bearing function from the shoulder and spine by introducing a hip belt with lateral support elements that transfer the load to the hip area, thereby removing the harmful spinal strain while maintaining load-bearing capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The hip belt with lateral support elements acts as an intermediary device between the load and the body, transferring the weight force from the shoulder to the hip area through the belt structure, thus protecting the spine from direct strain

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Force

If weight is transferred to the shoulder, then the load can be carried, but the center of gravity is shifted causing excessive lumbar lordosis

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveload bearing capacityVSAvoidlumbar lordosis
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the weight-bearing function from the shoulder area and relocates it to the hip area through the lateral support elements, thereby preventing the center of gravity shift that causes excessive lumbar lordosis while maintaining load-bearing capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Force

If conventional carrying devices are used, then the load can be supported, but the spine and shoulders experience additional strain

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveload support capabilityVSAvoidstrain on spine and shoulders
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The hip belt with lateral support elements serves as an intermediary structure that redistributes the load from the shoulder and spine to the hip area, maintaining load support capability while eliminating the harmful strain on the spine and shoulders

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the parameter of load distribution by positioning support elements laterally at a specific distance from the back element, transforming the weight transfer path from shoulder-to-spine to hip-based distribution, thereby reducing strain on the spine and shoulders

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4169416B1Device for assisting in carrying loads
Publication Date: 2024.12.04 HUNIC GMBH
  • EP4169416B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP4169416B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP4169416B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

The invention relates to a device (10, 10') for supporting the carrying of loads with a hip belt (20) having an inner side (20a) for contact with the body of a person (100) and an outer side (20b), with a first end (21) and a second end (22) which can be connected to each other by means of a closure element (25), wherein the hip belt (20) has a back element (30, 30') for contact with a section of the back of the person (100), and wherein a first hip belt section (40a) is arranged on the back element (30, 30'), wherein at least one, preferably several, outwardly projecting first support element (50a) is arranged on the outer side (20a) of the first hip belt section (40a) at such a distance (A) from the back element (30, 30') that, when in contact with the body of the person (100), it is arranged laterally against the body of the person (100).