BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[001] Nowadays equipment for carrying loads by human allow carrying relatively heavy loads with rather comfort thus allowing carrying such loads for long ranges and long time without over exhausting the human carrying the load. Typically the equipment allowing carrying heavier loads for longer ranges and time puts most of the load weight on the shoulders of the carrying human, with many types of means for softening the contact of the load with the body, with means for transferring some of the load to other organs of the body such as hardened light-weight frame, and the like. A typical solution as known in the art is a modern backpack such as the one presented in Fig. 1. Yet, in all prior art solutions for carrying loads by human the full weight of the load is carried by the human's body and the full load leans on the human's skeleton. This limits the maximum weight that human can carry and the time and distance he or she may carry that load, while inducing long- term strains into the human's skeleton with possible heavy long range damages.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[002] The subject matter regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. The invention, however, both as to organization and method of operation, together with objects, features, and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read with the accompanying drawings in which:

[003] Fig. 1 is a picture of a backpack as known in the art;

[004] Fig. 2 is a schematic illustration of a system for carrying loads according to embodiments of the present invention;

[005] Fig. 3 is a schematic illustration of a system for carrying loads according to embodiments of the present invention;

[006] Figs. 4A - 4D schematically present loads carrying systems according to embodiments of the present invention in different states;

[007] Fig. 5 schematically presents a load carrying system in a kneel-down state, according to embodiments the present invention; and [008] Fig. 6 presents a load carrying system according to embodiments of the present invention in its stowed / folded state.

[009] It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements shown in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements for clarity. Further, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0010] In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the present invention.

[0011] Reference is made now to Fig. 2, which is schematic illustration of system 20 for carrying loads according to embodiments of the present invention. System 20 is shown in Fig. 2 from a side view however it will be noted that elements described below and depicted in Fig. 2 as flat elements, represent a 3D element having the general shape of a frame the side of which is shown in Fig. 2, e,g, elements 22, 23, 24, 26 and to some extent 28. System 20 comprise harness 22, harness back frame 23, harness-load free movement means 24, load base 26, load vertical support 28 and gliding means 30. Harness 22 allows wearing and attaching system 20 onto human 12, similarly to known backpack, such as the one of Fig. 1. Load base 26 allows attaching a load (not shown) to system 20. Attaching a load to load base 26 may use any known attachment means, such as belts, buckles and the like. Free movement means 24 enables load base 26 to move freely with respect to harness back frame 23, in a substantially vertical direction substantially along the two-headed arrow drawn on load base 26, at least along a specified travel distance DT, as exemplified by two edges A, A' drawn in dashed lines. The movement of load base 26 up or down with respect to harness 22 is done without transmitting or transferring vertical loads from load base 26 to harness 22, at least as long as the movement of load base 26 is within the free movement range Dj. Load support 28 may comprise means for adjusting the support for the specific height of human 12, e.g. by adjusting the total length of load support 28 as is is explained below, so that when human 12 stands on a level straight ground gliding means 30 touches that ground and load base 26 is substantially in the middle of travel distance D _T . Load support and adjusting means 28 having an upper and a lower end, which may comprise two parts, 28 A proximal to the upper end and 28B proximal to the lower end, built, for example, as telescopic tubes that may glide in a fitted manner inside one another and may be fixed to each other at a desired position, to accomplish the required height adjustment of system 20 with respect to the ground as may be required by a specific user. Gliding means 30 may be adapted for the conditions of the environment where human 12 travels. When human 12 travels on hard ground gliding means may be a roller with bearing and when human 12 travels on ice gliding means 30 may be an ice skate, and the like. Momentary and local changes in the level on which human 12 walks with respect to the level on which gliding means 30 leans may be compensated by the free movement of load base 26 with respect to harness 22 so that as long as load base 26 travels freely within travel distance Dy substantially no load is supported by human 12, except for the weight of harness 22.

[0012] Load support adjusting means 28 may further be adapted to fold backwards in the direction indicated by two-headed arc about axis 32, as will be explained in details herein below. Folding of support adjusting means 28 backwards may be required for accommodating with sudden and exceptional protrusion under gliding means 30 or when human 12 lowers for a while such as when human 12 kneels down. Folding of support adjusting means 28 backwards may be required also for folding the support when not in use to minimize the occupied volume of system 20.

[0013] Reference is made now to Fig. 3, which is a schematic isometric illustration of system 30 for carrying loads according to embodiments of the present invention. System 30 comprises a back frame 33 to be part of a carrying harness (not shown) for attaching system 30 on a human's back. System 30 further comprises load base 26 formed as a light weight L shaped frame, four hinged connectors 34 forming, together with back frame 33 and with the upper part of load base 36 a spatial parallelogram which allows a free vertical motion of load base 36 with respect to back frame 33, as indicated by the grey thick double headed arrow. It will be apparent that load base 36 may be connected to back frame 33 in many other ways, such as sliding rails or other sliding or free-movement means that are are known in the art. System 30 further comprises vertical load support 38, which may be realized by two telescopic tubes which are adjustable as explained above with respect to support 28 of Fig. 2. System 30 may further comprise momentary folding assembly comprising momentary folding axis 52 about which load support 38 may turn in the direction of arrow C and returning assembly 54 adapted to return support 38 to its rest position when folding force is removed. System 30 may further comprise stowing / folding mechanism comprising stowing / folding axis 62, stowing / folding handle 64 and handle securing means 66. When handle 64 is released from secure means 66 it may be used to turn load support 38 according to the indication of arrow E to substantially upright position. According to embodiments of the present invention load support 38 may be secured in its stowing upright position by folding handle 64 about its axis 68 about 180° and re-securing it by secure means 66 in the folded up position (not shown in this drawing).

[0014] Reference is made now to Figs. 4 A - 4D, which schematically present loads carrying systems 402, 404, 406 and 408 in different states, according to embodiments of the present invention. Loads carrying system 402 of Fig. 4A is presented in a state where the level of the ground under the human is substantially the same as the level of the ground under the load support. As is depicted the load base of system 402 is substantially in the middle of its free way and is able to freely move up and down. Loads carrying system 404 of Fig. 4B presents a state where the load support leans on a protrusion on the ground and therefore moves up with respect to the human. As long as the load base is free to move up, the movement of load support will have minimal or no effect on the human. As depicted in Fig. 4C loads carrying system 406 presents a state where the load support hits a local depression in the ground, which causes the load base to move downwards with respect to the human. As long as the load base is free to move down, the movement of the load support will have minimal or no effect on the human. Fig. 4D presents a state where during walking of the human the load support hits a sudden and high obstacle 409, which activates a folding force on the load support, causing it to fold backwards in the direction indicated by the arc arrow, against the returning force of the returning mechanism. When the human walks a bit further forward and the load support and its gliding means passes obstacle 409 the load support will be free to straighten down wards to its outwardly position.

[0015] Reference is made now to Fig. 5, which schematically presents load carrying system 502 in a kneel-down state, according to embodiments the present invention. As depicted, when the walking human needs to kneel down the load support may fold backwards, optionally against a returning mechanism so that when the human stands up the load support straighten downwards to its supporting position.

[0016] Reference is made now to Fig. 6, which presents load carrying system 602 according to embodiments of the present invention in its stowed / folded state, where the load support is folded up, for example for simplifying the walking or for occupying less volume or for any other purpose. The folding of load support in this way is explained in more details with respect to Fig. 3.

[0017] Reference is made now to Fig. 7, which is a schematic side view illustration of system 700 for carrying loads according to embodiments of the present invention. System 700 may comprise harness 722, harness back 723, free movement means 724a and load base 726, which function similar to their respective elements in Fig. 2 and the description of those respective elements of Fig. 2 is applicable here also. System 700 further comprise shock absorber / load balancer device 742, which may be connected between harness back 723 and load base 726 so that when harness back 723 and load base 726 move with respect to each other extension / contraction forces are exerted along device 742. Device 742 may comprise a spring that is configured to act against contraction forces and thus to provide supporting force to load base 726 when abrupt movement of load base 726 is forced. According to yet another embodiment of the present invention device 742 may comprise pneumatic or hydraulic shock absorber which may act as bumps restrainer. It shall be apparent to one skilled in the art that device 742 may be embodied differently from the description above and / or may be connected between harness back 723 and load base 726 differently than the description above as long as supporting / restraining force is exerted to oppose or restrain relative movements between harness back 723 and load base 726. [0018] System 700 may further comprise flexible assembly 752, to enable natural movements of the back of a user of system 700 including leaning forward and backward, as may be required due to changing road conditions and slopes. Assembly 752 may be configured as several links 752A, 752B, 752C, 752D and 752F hingably connected in a row, where the hinges connecting each adjacent pair of links allow relative circular movement in the drawing plain. It will be noted that the actual construction of assembly 752 comprise a frame associated with each link 752A, 752B, 752C, 752D and 752F where each frame comprise two parallel links and at least one cross-connecting element to provide stability of the construction. Edge links 752A and 752F are configured to provide suitable interface with the respective upper and lower parts of the back of a user of system 700. The multi-links construction of assembly 752 provides high flexibility for movements of the user's back, in extreme positions such as leaning deep forward or backward. Kneeling, etc. Reference is made now also to Fig. 8, which is a schematic simplified illustration of an embodiment of assembly 800, which corresponds to assembly 752 (Fig. 2), and to Figs. 9A, 9B and 9C which depicts a flexible assembly in 3 different positions 900A, 900B and 900C, respectively. Assembly 800 comprise several links 800A, 800B, 800C, 800D and 800F, connected in a row, where the hinges connecting each adjacent pair of links allow relative circular movement in the drawing plain and functions similarly to the functioning of assembly 752, as described above. Load of the payload portion of system for carrying loads may be connected to assembly 800 at any desired position so as to address the specific needs of the carried load and the load carrier. Typically, as described in Fig. 8, the pay load may be harnessed to assembly 800 at a linking point between two adjacent links, e.g. in the linking point between link 802B and link 802C, as depicted by the arrow drawn in Fig. 8 and marked "W". Assemblies 900A, 900B, 900C exemplify three different extreme positions of a user of system 700 (Fig. 7) including leaning deeply backwards, leaning deeply forward and straight up walking, respectively. The rotatable connection of the back portion of a load carrier of the present invention to assembly 800 using one axis enable high angular separation between the user who carries the load and the carried load. As may be seen in Figs. 9A, 9B and 9C portion of back element 902A, 902B and 902C, respectively (drawn in broken line) maintain substantially upright orientation when assemblies 900A, 900B and 900C exercise extreme forward and backward leaning positions. [0019] Reference is made now to Figs. 10A and 10B which schematically illustrate side view and isometric view of a system for carrying loads, such as system 700 (Fig. 7), comprising device 1050 which corresponds to shock absorber / load balancer device 742 (Fig. 7) and assembly 1052 which corresponds to flexible assembly 752.

[0020] Reference is made now to Figs. 11 A and 11B which schematically illustrate the operation of assembly 1050 (or one similar to it) so that even in extreme forward or backwards leaning positions of the user, its load 1100 remains substantially upright and allow for enough freedom for the user to lean forward.

[0021] While certain features of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes, and equivalents will now occur to those of ordinary skill in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the invention.