Carrier system

Abstract

A carrier system for use with a body armor garment that distributes the shoulder loads produced by equipment carried or worn by military or law enforcement personnel, away from the user's shoulders and comfortably to the hips. Heavy shoulder loads, which typically cause chronic back pain and can lead to compression of the spine, are significantly mitigated. The carrier system has a vertical back support and a belt for securing the device around the waist of the user. In addition to alleviating shoulder fatigue and spine compression, the device is light, comfortable, durable, adjustable and easy to maintain.

1 . A carrier apparatus for carrying a shoulder load having at least one shoulder strap, the apparatus comprising:
 a flexible and adjustable waist strap adapted to encircle a wearer's waist, the waist strap having at least a first end and a second end and a fastening device for detachably securing the first end and second end in front of a wearer;   an upright support member attached to the waist strap at a portion of the waist strap substantially mid-portion between the waist strap first end and second end and corresponding approximately to the wearer's back, the upright support member extending vertically for a desired length along the wearer's back;   wherein the upright support member has a wearer facing side, an opposing exterior side, a central upper edge; at least two upper tabs that extend in a vertical direction beyond the central upper edge and the height of the wearer's shoulders, but not exceeding the height of the wearer's chin;   wherein at least the two upper tabs are separated by the central upper edge and are situated at a lateral point on the upright support member corresponding to the wearer's shoulders;   wherein the tab is positioned on the upper edge such that the upright support member receives at least a portion of the shoulder load via the shoulder strap and the tab; and   wherein at least a portion of the shoulder load is transmitted downwardly through the upright support member to the wearer's hips.   
     
     
         2 . The carrier apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the central upper edge is about six to eighteen inches wide. 
     
     
         3 . The carrier apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the upright support member is ergonomically contoured to follow the contour of the wearer's back and the two upper tabs follow the contour of the wearer's shoulders. 
     
     
         4 . The carrier apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the upright support member is pivotably attached to the waist strap in a manner that permits the support member to rotate laterally with respect to the waist strap. 
     
     
         5 . The carrier apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the upright support member further comprises at least one cushion situated on the wearer facing side between the upright support member and the wearer. 
     
     
         6 . The carrier apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the upright support member is semi-rigid. 
     
     
         7 . The carrier apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the two upper tabs define a tab top edge having a strap retention device. 
     
     
         8 . The carrier apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the central upper edge is situated at a vertical point on the upright support member corresponding no higher than the wearer's shoulders. 
     
     
         9 . A carrier system for use with a vest having a downwardly open support pocket on an inside surface and a shoulder strap adapted to transfer a shoulder load to a shoulder of a wearer comprising:
 a flexible and adjustable waist strap adapted to encircle a wearer's waist, the waist strap having at least a first end and a second end and a fastening device for detachably securing the first end and second end;   an upright support member attached to the waist strap at a portion of the waist strap substantially mid-portion between the waist strap first end and second end and corresponding approximately to the wearer's back, the upright support member extending vertically for a desired length along the wearer's back;   wherein the upright support member has a wearer facing side, an opposing exterior side, a central upper edge; two upper tabs that extend in a vertical direction beyond the central upper edge and the height of the wearer's shoulders, but not exceeding the height of the wearer's chin;   wherein the two upper tabs are separated by the central upper edge and are situated at a lateral point on the upright support member corresponding to the wearer's shoulders;   wherein the upright support member is adapted to engage with the support pocket and the two upper tabs of the support member are adapted to receive a shoulder load via at least one of the shoulder straps; and   wherein at least a portion of the shoulder load is transmitted downwardly through the upright support member to the wearer's hips.   
     
     
         10 . The carrier system of  claim 9 , wherein the central upper edge is about six to eighteen inches wide. 
     
     
         11 . The carrier system of  claim 9 , wherein the support member is ergonomically contoured to follow the contour of a wearer's back and the two upper tabs follow the contour of the wearer's shoulders. 
     
     
         12 . The carrier system of  claim 9 , wherein the support member is attached to the waist strap in a manner that permits the support member to rotate laterally with respect to the waist strap. 
     
     
         13 . The carrier system of  claim 9 , wherein the support member defines a wearer facing side and an opposing exterior side, and the support member further comprises at least one cushion situated on the wearer facing side. 
     
     
         14 . The carrier system of  claim 9 , wherein the support member is semi-rigid. 
     
     
         15 . The carrier system of  claim 9 , wherein the two upper tabs define a tab top edge having a strap retention device. 
     
     
         16 . The carrier system of  claim 9 , wherein the central upper edge is situated at a vertical point on the upright support member corresponding no higher than the wearer's shoulders. 
     
     
         17 . A carrier system for use with a vest having a vest front, a flexible left shoulder strap, a flexible right shoulder strap, and a vest rear, the shoulder straps adapted to transfer a shoulder load to a shoulder of a wearer; the system comprising:
 a flexible and adjustable waist strap adapted to encircle a wearer's waist, the waist strap having at least a first end and a second end and a fastening device for detachably securing the first end and second end;   an upright support member attached to the waist strap at a portion of the waist strap substantially mid-portion between the waist strap first end and second end and corresponding approximately to the wearer's back, the upright support member extending vertically for a desired length along the wearer's back;   wherein the upright support member has a wearer facing side, an opposing exterior side, a central upper edge; at least two upper tabs that extend in a vertical direction beyond the central upper edge and the height of the wearer's shoulders, but not exceeding the height of the wearer's chin;   wherein the at least two upper tabs are separated by the central upper edge and are situated at a lateral point on the upright support member corresponding to the wearer's shoulders; and   wherein at least a portion of the shoulder load is transmitted downwardly through the upright support member to the wearer's hips.   
     
     
         18 . The carrier system of  claim 17 , wherein the central upper edge is about six to eighteen inches wide. 
     
     
         19 . The carrier system of  claim 17 , wherein the support member is ergonomically contoured to follow the contour of a wearer's back and the two upper tabs follow the contour of the wearer's shoulders. 
     
     
         20 . The carrier system of  claim 17 , wherein the support member is attached to the waist strap in a manner that permits the support member to rotate laterally with respect to the waist strap. 
     
     
         21 . The carrier system of  claim 17 , wherein the support member defines a wearer facing side and an opposing exterior side, and further comprises at least one cushion situated on the wearer facing side. 
     
     
         22 . The carrier system of  claim 17 , wherein the support member is semi-rigid. 
     
     
         23 . The carrier system of  claim 17 , wherein the two upper tabs define a tab top edge having a strap retention device, and 
     
     
         24 . The carrier system of  claim 17 , wherein the central upper edge is situated at a vertical point on the upright support member corresponding no higher than the wearer's shoulders. 
     
     
         25 . The carrier system of  claim 17 , wherein the tabs are between 0.1 inches to about 3 inches above the adjacent central upper edge. 
     
     
         26 . The carrier system of  claim 17 , wherein the vest has a downwardly open support pocket on the vest rear, and further where the upright support member is adapted to engage with the downwardly open support pocket such that the two upper tabs may then receive a shoulder load via the shoulder strap. 
     
     
         27 . The carrier system of  claim 17 , wherein the two upper tabs are adapted to receive a shoulder load via the shoulder strap. 
     
     
         28 . The carrier system of  claim 17 , wherein the vest further has at least one armor pouch capable of receiving a ballistic armor insert.