| CLAIMS 1. A device for manual carrying which includes: a head support (1) which is ergonomically designed and structured to support on the large muscles and to adapt to the shoulder area, - straps (2) guided downwards from the head support, height adjusting devices (3) in the straps, suspenders (4) at the lower ends of the straps, characterised in that the device for carrying includes at least two straps (2) one of which is in front of the body on the left side and the other strap is in front of the body on the right side and they extend from the front of the body to the rear of the body and are fastened crosswise to the head support. 2. A device for carrying according to claim 1, characterised in that the straps (2) are fastened to the head support (1) such that, when carrying a load, the point load comes directly downwards. |
This invention relates to a personal device for manual carrying according to the preamble of claim 1.
It is known to carry and move various items employing different personal devices for carrying. Such is a long straight stick onto both ends of which are fitted baskets where products are then placed. This model is unstable to use, its use requires a lot of space around it and it is most often carried only on one shoulder, whereby the arrangement is not ergonomically good.
Another, slightly more developed model is e.g. a thicker piece of wood where usually a shape has been chamfered at the point of the neck and holes have been made at the ends where strings or equivalents have been fastened. In the strings, a load is then fastened. By hanging onto the strings or the load, the person carrying tries to keep the load stable. Such a product extends well outside the shoulders, whereby this model is not either suitable for use in close quarters. Also, the product is not comfortable to use due to its hardness.
Neither of the above is suited for one-sided loading, because there is no possibility to stabilise one side in any other way than by loading the load also to the other side. Both products have narrow possibilities of use.
To carry or move, it is also possible to use a strap or a band. Then, the problem is that the bare strap forces itself on top of the neck, because the loaded strap tends to go at a straight line. This is not desirable, because burdening the neck this way and carrying on the neck is not ergonomic and hinders blood circulation to the head causing e.g. headache and muscle pains. Carrying causes a great strain on the arms, the shoulder and neck area as well as the back. The strain increases the risks of injury, such as slipped discs, problems in the neck and shoulder area.
Furthermore, tying the load to the bare strap and unloading the load are awkward. The user must first tie the load fast and, after having moved it, to untie the knots done before being able to unload the load. It is extremely difficult to adjust the strap at a suitable height to be able to transfer the largest weight of the load on the large muscle groups.
Recently, there is no personal ergonomic device in the offing which could be used to safely and ergonomically carry loads to those places, where no machine is able to access, or in situations, where there is no machine in use. P T/FI2011/050516
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An object of the invention is to introduce a device for carrying by means of which the above problems are eliminated. A particular object of the invention is to introduce a device for carrying which is safe and ergonomic in use, simple of its structure and able to divide the load evenly. Additionally, an object of the invention is to save time and the user's strength and to improve safety and work comfort.
The object of the invention is achieved with a device for carrying which is characterised by what is presented in the characterising section of claim 1.
The device for carrying according to the invention includes:
- a head support which is an ergonomically-designed support for the shoulder and neck area which is shaped such that it transfers loading on the large muscle groups.
The support employs an elastic but supportive material, whereby it is comfortable on the shoulders.
- straps which can be personally adjusted exactly at the suitable height required. The straps employ manually adjustable adjusting devices. - suspension elements, hooks or equivalents, where the load can be fastened. The suspension elements can be provided with various accessories by means of which it is possible to carry a wide range of products e.g. bags, boards, pipes etc. The suspension elements are usually of metal or plastic. The material of the accessories can also be fabric. The suspension elements in the accessory can be fixed or replaceable and they have been appropriately provided with a quick-release lock.
An advantageous embodiment of the invention is shown in the attached drawing in which
Fig. 1 shows an oblique front view of a device for carrying according to the invention worn by the user. Fig. 2 shows an oblique rear view of the device for carrying according to Fig. 1 worn by the user.
The device for carrying according to the figures includes an ergonomically- designed support for the neck and shoulder area 1 adapting on the shoulders which is covered by a material suitable for the purpose. The head support 1 is ergonomically designed and structured to support on the large muscles and to adapt to the shoulder area. The head support is one piece which extends on both sides of the head from its front part some distance downwards and contains a wide strip at T/FI2011/050516
3 the back of the neck. Furthermore, the device for carrying includes two straps the first of which is in front of the body on the left side and the second strap is in front of the body on the right side and they extend from the front of the body to the rear of the body. They have been fastened to the head support crosswise, whereby the first strap is at the rear of the body on the right side and the second strap is at the rear of the body on the left side. The straps have been fastened and, in this case, they have been sewn to the support 1 and arranged to support on the neck and shoulder area support 1 such that, when carrying a load, the point load comes directly downwards. Additionally, the straps are fastenable to each other. The straps are in this embodiment about 45 mm wide, but their width can vary in different embodiments.
Figs. 1 and 2 show how the head support 1 is sturdily on the shoulders of the person carrying and crosswise straps 2 are fastened to it, the straps include height adjusting devices 3 and suspenders 4 connected to the strap, such as hooks or equivalents, where the loads are fastened. The height adjusting devices 3 in the straps are slide adjusting devices 3 known as such to adjust the length of the straps.
In another embodiment, the suspenders are safety quick-release locks 4 at the lower end of the straps by means of which the straps can be quickly locked in a desired way to the load or the support connected to it. The strap is arranged to pass through the female part of the quick-release lock and, thus, the female part of the quick- release lock is always able to transfer to the point required. The quick-release locking enables replacing suspenders with different ones quickly.
Furthermore, the device for carrying includes an ergonomic support grip coming within the user's hand which is designed and shaped according to the hand shape. The strap starts from the support and, in the strap, the male connector is fast with which the support can be connected to the female part of the quick-release lock.
When using the device, the head support is placed on the shoulders and, due to its shape, the device sets at the correct point on the shoulders and does not go on top of the neck. Next, the length of the strap is adjusted at the correct height. The height in the strap is adjusted such that the largest load remains on the shoulders and the hook or equivalent is at the point of the hand at a suitable height. If the product being carried so requires, the adjustment can be done such that the suspenders are lifted higher in the adjustment when required, whereby the load being carried is positioned higher. Then, the steering is done elbows bent. After this, the load is taken on the hooks and the load is moved to a desired place. The device for carrying according to the invention can be utilised for very many purposes. The device can be employed e.g. in the following tasks:
Carrying buckets of paint without an auxiliary device is very risky. For instance, carrying paint buckets to a 3-5-storey block of flats requires a lot of squeezing force. All energy is consumed by the carrying, and accidents, such as stumblings or slippings, occur. Furthermore, the person carrying is tired when he reaches the top floor and the recovery of arm strength takes its time. When using the device, the largest load transfers on the large muscles and causes almost no strain at all on the arms and hands. The main task of the hands is only to guide the buckets in the right direction. The person is also able to focus on surrounding things and to avoid small obstacles and a possibly slippery floor. When at the top, he is still full of energy and able to start the main task of painting.
The device is suitable for lightening a load transported in a wheelbarrow and for stabilising the load. The device is put on and the hooks are adjusted using the strap adjusting device at a suitable height such that the largest load can be transferred on the largest muscles. The hands guide and keep the load stable. The hooks come to the handles of the wheelbarrow.
At summer dwellings, the device can be used e.g. for carrying water. Usually, the carrying distance is dozens of metres, whereby carrying heavy water buckets causes great strain on the arms and shoulders, for instance. In this case, there also exists, inter alia, a high risk of slipping and stumbling. The situation is the same when carrying a basket of firewood etc. When using the device, it is possible to react to and avoid possible risks on the trip.
- By means of the device, it is possible to safely carry a shopping bag or a shopping basket from the market checkout counter to the vehicle which can be at a long distance on the parking lot.
The device can also be used when carrying a suitcase and particularly when carrying a suitcase having no casters. For instance, distances walked at airports and port terminals can be extremely long. There always are situations, such as climbing stairs, when one must usually carry the suitcases and the weight of e.g. 20-kg suitcase can be very hard to tackle for some.
Carrying crates of refreshments and other containers (e.g. from a passenger ferry, a shop). The crates of refreshments are heavy, but the device enables the easy carrying of crates even on both sides by hanging them on the hooks. To carry bags of grout or other heavy materials, there are no devices at the moment. This device and a solid belt as its accessory can solve this problem simply. Grout and other bags are now carried in the arms or on one shoulder, which causes a great strain to the arms and the shoulders. Visibility is worsened when carrying, a risk of stumbling and slipping in worksite conditions can even be life-threatening. The problem is solved by putting the solid belt on both sides of the bag and both ends of the solid belt are fitted to the hooks of the device. Then, the bags are moved ergonomically better.
To carry pipes or boards, it is also possible to utilise the device by employing e.g. a loop hoisting belt together with the device. The device is put on, the loop hoisting belt is taken and one loop is passed through the other, whereby obtaining a tightening strap, and then the loose loop is fitted to the hook. Then, to the loop hoisting belt can be placed e.g. pipes, boards etc. When carrying long items, a second person takes his place at the other end, whereby it is possible to easily carry heavy pipes or even a pile of boards.
The device can employ various suspenders to increase its use possibilities.
Considerable time is saved e.g. on a worksite where the target is 100 metres off and which can only be accessed on foot or there is no other means of transport in use which could take closer. If the person carrying has to deliver e.g. two bags of grout to the worksite, he must usually take two trips without an auxiliary device. The result is having tired legs, arms and back, whereby the person must rest before being able to start the work. By means of the device, both bags can be carried at once, which causes an extreme saving of time. Furthermore, carrying only causes little strain, whereby the person is ready to start the work after the delivery. Additionally, carrying by means of the device is pleasant, whereby this work stage does not feel so unpleasant. Using the invention has a direct effect on the bottom line of the enterprise, inter alia, due to savings in time spent on carrying and due to preventing injuries. When the work is pleasant, the end result is better and the customer is given a good image of the enterprise and its employees. The invention is not limited to the described advantageous embodiment, but it can vary within the scope of the inventive idea presented in the claims.
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