Load transfer apparatus

Abstract

Apparatus for transferring a load from a shoulder of a user has a rod extending from above a shoulder to receive a load and extends to engage a support member on a hip of a user. A second rod, disposed above an opposite shoulder of a user, extends into engagement with a support on the same or opposite hip of the user. Other rod arrangements are provided.

The inventor claims:  
     
         1 . A load transfer apparatus comprising: 
 a support member adapted to be supported on a hip of a user,    a substantially rigid rod extending from above a shoulder of a user to receive a load, said rod extending to engage the support member, and    whereby a load applied at said shoulder of the user is transferred to a hip of the user.    
     
     
         2 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , and further including: 
 a second relatively rigid rod extending above said shoulder of the user and extending diagonally across the back of the user, and    a second support member disposed at an opposite second hip of the user to receive the second rod,    whereby load applied at the shoulder is transferred to both hips of the user.    
     
     
         3 . A load transfer apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said rod is of generally arcuate loop configuration and extends above said shoulder of the user and having a front portion extending at the front of the user and a back portion extending at the back of the user into engagement with said support member.    
     
     
         4 . A load transfer apparatus according to  claim 1 , and further including: 
 a belt disposed about the waist of the user to retain said support member.    
     
     
         5 . A load transfer apparatus according to  claim 2 , and further including: 
 a belt disposed about the waist of the user to retain said support member.    
     
     
         6 . A load transfer apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein: 
 said support members are retained on said belt by extension of the belt through slits in the support members.    
     
     
         7 . A load transfer apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein: 
 said support members are retained on said belt by extension of the belt through slits in the support members.    
     
     
         8 . A load transfer apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein: 
 said support members are retained by hooks thereon in engagement with said belt.    
     
     
         9 . A load transfer apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein: 
 said support members are retained by hooks thereon in engagement with said belt.    
     
     
         10 . A load transfer apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said support member comprises a substantially rigid member adapted and configured to engage a hip of the user.    
     
     
         11 . A load transfer apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein: 
 said support members comprise substantially rigid members adapted and configured to engage the hips of the user.    
     
     
         12 . A load transfer apparatus comprising: 
 a support member adapted to be supported on a hip of a user,    a substantially rigid rod extending from above a shoulder of a user to receive a load, said rod extending to engage the support member,    a second relatively rigid rod extending above said shoulder of the user and extending diagonally across the back of the user,    a second support member disposed at an opposite second hip of the user to receive the second rod, and    a third relatively rigid rod extending over an opposite second shoulder of the user and extending diagonally across the back of the user into engagement with the support member at said second hip of the user,    whereby load applied at the shoulder is transferred to both hips of the user.    
     
     
         13 . A load transfer apparatus comprising: 
 a support member adapted to be supported on a hip of a user,    a substantially rigid rod extending from above a shoulder of a user to receive a load, said rod extending to engage the support member,    a second relatively rigid rod extending above said shoulder of the user and extending diagonally across the back of the user, and    a second support member disposed at an opposite second hip of the user to receive the second rod,    said first and second rods having arcuate portions extending over respective shoulders of the user and terminating with end portions near the respective shoulders,    whereby load applied at the shoulder is transferred to both hips of the user.