Articulated Backpack Apparatus and System

Abstract

Described is a load-bearing support apparatus and system including an upper and lower support element adapted to rotate about one or more axes. The support elements can each further include support couplings. The apparatus can further include first and second support elements that can be adapted to bear the weight of a load along vertical and horizontal axes, respectively. The apparatus can include a mounting support element that can include upper and lower load connectors that can further be coupled to the load. The upper and lower load connectors can each be coupled to the upper and lower support couplings, respectively, in a ball-and-socket joint configuration. Because the ball-and-socket joints can create an articulating motion based on an operator's movement, the support apparatus can increase an operator's range of motion resulting in greater comfort and less fatigue while supporting the load.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A load-bearing support apparatus, the apparatus comprising:
 an upper support element, wherein the upper support element is adapted to rotate about at least one axis with respect to a load;   a lower support element, wherein the lower support element is adapted to rotate about at least one axis with respect to the load;   a first support element, wherein the first support element is adapted to bear at least a portion of the weight of the load;   a second support element, wherein the second support element is adapted to bear at least a portion of the weight of the load; and   a mounting support element, wherein the mounting support element is adapted to be coupled to the load.   
     
     
         2 . The load-bearing support apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising an upper support coupling, wherein a position of the upper support coupling is adapted to be adjusted to control a distance between the upper support element and the lower support element. 
     
     
         3 . The load-bearing support apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a support connector, wherein the support connector is adapted to couple the upper support element to the lower support element. 
     
     
         4 . The load-bearing support apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a side support element, wherein the side support element is adapted to provide support to the second support element. 
     
     
         5 . The load-bearing support apparatus according to  claim 2  wherein the upper support coupling is adapted to control the rotation of the upper support element with respect to the load. 
     
     
         6 . The load-bearing support apparatus according to  claim 5 , further comprising a lower support coupling, wherein the lower support coupling is adapted to control the rotation of the lower support element with respect to the load. 
     
     
         7 . The load-bearing support apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the upper support element further comprises an upper support resting unit, wherein the upper support resting unit is adapted to contact an upper portion of an operator. 
     
     
         8 . The load-bearing support apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the lower support element further comprises a lower support resting unit, wherein the lower support resting unit is adapted to contact a lower portion of an operator. 
     
     
         9 . The load-bearing support apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the load-bearing support apparatus is adapted to support the weight of a portable vacuum device, portable tool, or portable equipment. 
     
     
         10 . The load-bearing support apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the mounting support element further comprises an upper load connector and a lower load connector, wherein the upper load connector is adapted to be coupled to the upper support coupling, and the lower load connector is adapted to be coupled to the lower support coupling. 
     
     
         11 . The load-bearing support apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein the upper load connector and the upper support coupling are adapted to form a multi-axis joint. 
     
     
         12 . The load-bearing support apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein the lower load connector and the lower support coupling are adapted to form a multi-axis joint. 
     
     
         13 . A load-bearing support apparatus, the apparatus comprising:
 an upper support element, wherein the upper support element is adapted to rotate about at least one axis with respect to a load;   a first support element, wherein the first support element is adapted to bear at least a portion of the weight of the load;   a first support element extension, wherein the first support element extension is adapted to provide support to the first support element;   a second support element, wherein the second support element is adapted to bear at least a portion of the weight of the load;   a support element fastener, wherein the support element fastener is adapted to receive the first support element extension; and   a mounting support element, wherein the mounting support element is adapted to be coupled to a load.   
     
     
         14 . The load-bearing support apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein the first support element extension is adapted to bear the weight of the load along vertical and horizontal axes. 
     
     
         15 . The load-bearing support apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein the support element fastener is adapted to secure the first support element extension thereby creating tension in the first support element. 
     
     
         16 . A load-bearing support system, the system comprising:
 a load; and   a load-bearing support apparatus, the apparatus comprising:
 an upper support element, wherein the upper support element is adapted to rotate about at least one axis with respect to the load; 
 a lower support element, wherein the lower support element is adapted to rotate about at least one axis with respect to the load; 
 a first support element, wherein the first support element is adapted to bear at least a portion of the weight of the load; 
 a second support element, wherein the second support element is adapted to bear at least a portion of the weight of the load; and 
 a mounting support element, wherein the mounting support element is adapted to be coupled to the load. 
   
     
     
         17 . The load-bearing support system according to  claim 16 , wherein the mounting support element further comprises an upper load connector and a lower load connector, wherein the upper load connector is adapted to be coupled to an upper support coupling, and the lower load connector is adapted to be coupled to a lower support coupling. 
     
     
         18 . The load-bearing support system according to  claim 17 , wherein the upper load connector and the upper support coupling are adapted to form a multi-axis joint. 
     
     
         19 . The load-bearing support system according to  claim 17 , wherein the lower load connector and the lower support coupling are adapted to form a multi-axis joint. 
     
     
         20 . The load-bearing support system according to  claim 17 , wherein the load includes a portable vacuum device, a portable tool, or portable equipment.