Hip mounted carrying aid

Abstract

A device 14 for assisting with carrying or aiding in carrying an object on a person's hip or other body location is mounted on an article of clothing worn by the person The device has a vertical member 30 that is placed against the persons hip and a horizontal member or platform 32 coupled with the vertical member and extending generally horizontal direction away from the person's torso, on which a surface, corner or other part of the object to be carried is rested while being held by the person's arm.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus, to be worn by a person, for assisting with manually carrying loads, comprising a first member adapted for placing against a hip of the person and a second member extending outwardly from the first member. 
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first member is shaped to complement the thigh region of a person's leg; and wherein the second member is coupled with the first member so that it extends at an angle to the first member. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the angle between the first member and the member is between 60 and 120 degrees. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a loop, the loop being adapted for receiving a belt or strap. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the loop has an opening for receiving a belt, strap, or garment waistband. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the second member is in the shape of saddle for supporting a child straddling the saddle. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the saddle further includes at least one opening for attaching a strap for assisting with holding a child on the saddle. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the second member is coupled with the first member to allow for pivoting of the second member with respect to the first member 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the second member is coupled with the first member to allow for rotation about an axis extending away from the first member. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a distal portion of the second member is detachable. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a distal portion of the first member is detachable. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a strap for coupling with first member and extending around the shoulder of a user for transferring a load generated by an object placed on the second member. 
     
     
         13 . An apparatus, to be worn by a person, for assisting with manually carrying loads, comprising a back having at least a lower portion shaped to complement at least one aspect of the shape of a person's hip or thigh when the apparatus is worn by the person, and a platform coupled with the back and extending away from the back, on which an object may be partially supported for carrying. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the lower portion of the back is shaped by curving at least the lower portion of the back laterally across its width. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the lower portion of the back is shaped by curving at least the lower portion of the back vertically. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the back is shaped to for facilitating insertion of the back behind a belt, strap, waistband or other article of clothing worn by the user on or near the user's hip. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein an end of the lower portion of the back comprises a tip that is smaller than the back in at least one dimension for assisting a user to slide the back into or behind an article of clothing on the user's hip. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the back has formed in it an opening. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , further comprising a member generally parallel to the back, from which the platform depends, and connected with the back to form a slot for receiving an article of clothing to at least partially support the apparatus adjacent a person's hip when wearing the apparatus. 
     
     
         20 . A method of carrying an unwieldy object using an apparatus comprising a leg rest and platform extending away from the leg rest, the method comprising supporting the apparatus on an article of clothing worn by a person, resting at least a portion of the object on the platform, and holding the object on the platform using at least one arm. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the leg support portion of an apparatus is inserted behind the article of clothing, the article of clothing comprising a strap, belt or garment waistband, with a portion of the apparatus resting on top of the article of clothing, and the platform extending away from the person's torso.