Lifting harness and method of using the same

Abstract

The lifting harness includes a base strap and a pair of shoulder straps releasably attached to a base strap. Each shoulder strap includes a shoulder engaging portion and a plurality of arm loops for receiving the arms of a user. The base strap is an oval, elliptical, or other elongated loop having a pair of buckles or the like for adjusting the circumference of the loop, and a pair of parallel cross straps extending across the loop and slidable along the loop to adjust the position of each cross strap, each cross strap having a buckle to adjust the length of the cross strap. In use, a heavy load is mounted on the base strap and each shoulder strap is placed around the neck and over the shoulders of the users, and a pair of arm loops receiving the forearms of the user. Further, each shoulder strap further terminates at either end in an adjustable releasable loop, allowing for one or more shoulder straps to be used as carrying harnesses without the need for a base strap.

1 . A lifting harness, comprising: 
 a base strap forming a continuous loop; and    a pair of shoulder straps releasably attached to the base strap 180° apart, each of the shoulder straps having a shoulder-engaging portion and a pair of side portions extending therefrom, each said side portion having at least one arm loop for releasably receiving an arm of a user;    whereby the base strap is adapted to receive a load positioned on the base strap and the shoulder straps are adapted for being looped around the necks and over the shoulders of a pair users positioned on opposite sides of the load.    
   
   
       2 . The lifting harness as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising at least one cross strap extending across the base strap loop, the cross strap having opposed ends attached to said base strap for supporting the load.  
   
   
       3 . The lifting harness as recited in  claim 2 , wherein each of the ends of said at least one cross strap defines a loop for receiving said base strap, whereby said cross strap is movable on said base strap to adjust arc size defined by said cross strap.  
   
   
       4 . The lifting harness as recited in  claim 3 , wherein said at least one cross strap further comprises means for adjusting cross strap length.  
   
   
       5 . The lifting harness as recited in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said base strap further comprises means for adjusting the length of the circumference of the loop; and    each of said shoulder straps further comprises means for adjusting shoulder strap length.    
   
   
       6 . The lifting harness as recited in  claim 1 , wherein each of said shoulder straps has opposing lower ends extending from the side portions, the lifting harness further comprising: 
 a first releasable fastener attached to each of the lower ends;    a connector strap extending from each of the lower ends; and    a second releasable fastener attached to the connector strap, the second releasable fastener mating with the first releasable fastener to form a loop around said base strap, thereby movably attaching the lower ends of said shoulder straps to said base strap.    
   
   
       7 . A method of lifting a load, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a set of straps;    selecting at least one strap of said set of straps for lifting a load;    supporting the load on said at least one strap;    positioning a portion of said at least one strap over a shoulder of a user; and    lifting said load.    
   
   
       8 . The method of lifting a load as recited in  claim 7 , further including the step of forming a loop in said at least one strap for receiving said load.  
   
   
       9 . The method of lifting a load as recited in  claim 8 , wherein said step of supporting the load further comprises the step of tightening said loop about said load.  
   
   
       10 . The method of lifting a load as recited in  claim 7 , wherein said selecting step further comprises selecting a base strap from the set of straps.  
   
   
       11 . The method of lifting a load as recited in  claim 10 , wherein said step of supporting the load further comprises the step of placing the load on said base strap.  
   
   
       12 . The method of lifting a load as recited in  claim 11 , wherein said step of selecting at least one strap further includes the step of selecting a pair of shoulder straps.  
   
   
       13 . The method of lifting a load as recited in  claim 12 , further comprising the step of releasably securing said pair of shoulder straps to said base strap.  
   
   
       14 . The method of lifting a load as recited in  claim 7 , wherein said selecting step further comprises selecting a plurality of shoulder straps from the set of straps.  
   
   
       15 . The method of lifting a load as recited in  claim 14 , further including the step of joining said plurality of shoulder straps to each other to form a base strap.  
   
   
       16 . The method of lifting a load as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the step of supporting the load further comprises the step of placing the load on said mounting base.  
   
   
       17 . The method of lifting a load as recited in  claim 16 , wherein said step of selecting at least one strap further includes the step of selecting another pair of shoulder straps.  
   
   
       18 . The method of lifting a load as recited in  claim 17 , further comprising the step of releasably securing said another pair of shoulder straps to said base strap.