Lifting and carrying aid

Abstract

A lifting device includes an arcuate base member adapted to attach to a body encircling belt and at least one hinged member attached to the arcuate base member to support an object being maneuvered by a wearer of the lifting device. The arcuate base member is attached to the body encircling belt using adjustable lateral straps.

1 . A lifting device comprising: 
 an arcuate base member adapted to attach to a body encircling belt; and    at least one support member attached to the arcuate base member to support an object being maneuvered by a wearer of the lifting device.    
   
   
       2 . The lifting device as recited in  claim 1  wherein the support member comprises a hinged member.  
   
   
       3 . The lifting device as recited in  claim 1  wherein the arcuate base member is attached to the body encircling belt using adjustable lateral straps.  
   
   
       4 . The lifting device as recited in  claim 1  wherein the arcuate base member is permanently attached to the body encircling belt during the manufacturing process.  
   
   
       5 . The lifting device as recited in  claim 1  further comprising a material having a non-skid property disposed over the arcuate base member.  
   
   
       6 . The lifting device as recited in  claim 2  further comprising a material having a non-skid property disposed over the at least one hinged member.  
   
   
       7 . The lifting device as recited in  claim 2  further comprising an insulating material disposed over the at least one hinged member.  
   
   
       8 . The lifting device as recited in  claim 2  wherein the at least one hinged member comprises two hinged members equally spaced from a center line of the arcuate base member.  
   
   
       9 . The lifting device as recited in  claim 2  wherein the arcuate base member is shaped to accommodate the at least one hinged member when the at least one hinged member is in the stored position.  
   
   
       10 . The lifting device as recited in  claim 2  wherein the arcuate base member comprises a durable polymer material having a magnet disposed therein aligned to mate with the at least one hinged member when in the stored position.  
   
   
       11 . The lifting device as recited in  claim 1  wherein the arcuate base member comprises depressions on an anterior surface of the arcuate base member disposed to reduce pressure on lateral femoral cutaneous nerves of the wearer.  
   
   
       12 . The lifting device as recited in  claim 1  wherein the arcuate base member comprises a bevel shape to accommodate a convex shape of the anterior abdominal wall.  
   
   
       13 . A lifting device comprising: 
 (a) a body encircling belt;    (b) an arcuate base member adapted to attach to the body encircling belt; and    (c) at least one hinged member attached to the arcuate base member to support an object being positioned by a wearer of the lifting device.    
   
   
       14 . The lifting device as recited in  claim 13  comprising suspenders fabricated from non-stretch material attached to the body encircling belt.  
   
   
       15 . The lifting device as recited in  claim 13  wherein the at least one hinged member comprises two hinged members equally spaced from a center line of the arcuate base member.  
   
   
       16 . The lifting device as recited in  claim 12  wherein the arcuate base member is shaped to accommodate the at least one hinged member when the at least one hinged member is in the stored position.  
   
   
       17 . The lifting device as recited in  claim 13  wherein the at least one hinged member is provided as a suspended shelf.  
   
   
       18 . The lifting device as recited in  claim 13  wherein the arcuate base member and at least one hinged member is fabricated with a hard durable polymer.  
   
   
       19 . The lifting device as recited in  claim 13  wherein the arcuate base member is shaped to accommodate the at least one hinged member when the at least one hinged member is in the stored position.