Load distribution apparatus

Abstract

A load distribution apparatus includes an attachment portion including an attachment mechanism adapted to connect to a wrist or arm of a user, a weight receiving portion including a downwardly extending portion, an upwardly extending portion, and a bottom portion connecting the downwardly extending portion and the upwardly extending portion, the bottom portion including a contact surface adapted to receive one or more items to be carried by the user, and a connection portion connecting the attachment portion to the weight receiving portion in a manner where the weight of the one or more items on the contact surface can be transferred to the wrist or arm of the user. In one version, the downwardly extending portion and the upwardly extending portion are not parallel. In one version, the contact surface flattened portion that increases the contact area with the one or more items when the one or more items contact the contact surface. In one version, the extending portion and the bottom portion are sized and shaped to allow the user to selectively grasp the one or more items with the user's fingers and to selectively not touch the one or more items when the one or more items are on the contact surface. A method of using the load distribution apparatus to distribute a carried load is also disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A load distribution apparatus comprising:
 an attachment portion, the attachment portion comprising an attachment mechanism adapted to connect to a wrist or arm of a user;   a weight receiving portion, the weight receiving portion comprising a downwardly extending portion, an upwardly extending portion, and a bottom portion connecting the downwardly extending portion and the upwardly extending portion, the bottom portion including a contact surface adapted to receive one or more items to be carried by the user; and   a connection portion connecting the attachment portion to the weight receiving portion in a manner where the weight of the one or more items on the contact surface can be transferred to the wrist or arm of the user,   wherein the downwardly extending portion and the upwardly extending portion are not parallel.   
     
     
         2 . A load distribution apparatus according to  claim 1  the weight receiving portion comprises a first bar and a second bar, each of the first bar and the second bar making up the downwardly extending portion, the upwardly extending portion, and the bottom portion. 
     
     
         3 . A load distribution apparatus according to  claim 2  wherein the first bar and the second bar together form a double hook configuration. 
     
     
         4 . A load distribution apparatus according to  claim 2  wherein the first bar and the second bar are separated from one another by from about 1 inch to about 8 inches. 
     
     
         5 . A load distribution apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the downwardly extending portion includes a straight portion and wherein the upwardly extending portion includes a straight portion. 
     
     
         6 . A load distribution apparatus according to  claim 5  wherein the straight portion of the upwardly extending portion is angled relative to the straight portion of the downwardly extending portion by an angle of from about 10 degrees to about 85 degrees. 
     
     
         7 . A load distribution apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the contact surface is flattened. 
     
     
         8 . A load distribution apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the extending portion and the bottom portion are sized and shaped to allow the user to selectively grasp the one or more items with the user's fingers and to selectively not touch the one or more items when the one or more items are on the contact surface. 
     
     
         9 . A load distribution apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the attachment mechanism comprises a strap adapted to encircle the wrist. 
     
     
         10 . A load distribution apparatus comprising:
 an attachment portion, the attachment portion comprising an attachment mechanism adapted to connect to a wrist or arm of a user;   a weight receiving portion, the weight receiving portion comprising a downwardly extending portion, an upwardly extending portion, and a bottom portion connecting the downwardly extending portion and the upwardly extending portion, the bottom portion including a contact surface adapted to receive one or more items to be carried by the user; and   a connection portion connecting the attachment portion to the weight receiving portion in a manner where the weight of the one or more items on the contact surface can be transferred to the wrist or arm of the user,   wherein the contact surface includes a flattened portion that increases the contact area with the one or more items when the one or more items contact the contact surface.   
     
     
         11 . A load distribution apparatus according to  claim 10  the weight receiving portion comprises a first bar and a second bar, each of the first bar and the second bar making up the downwardly extending portion, the upwardly extending portion, and the bottom portion. 
     
     
         12 . A load distribution apparatus according to  claim 11  wherein the first bar and the second bar together form a double hook configuration. 
     
     
         13 . A load distribution apparatus according to  claim 10  wherein the contact surface comprises a friction increasing surface treatment. 
     
     
         14 . A load distribution apparatus according to  claim 10  wherein the downwardly extending portion includes a straight portion and wherein the upwardly extending portion includes a straight portion. 
     
     
         15 . A load distribution apparatus according to  claim 14  wherein the straight portion of the upwardly extending portion is angled relative to the straight portion of the downwardly extending portion by an angle of from about 15 degrees to about 80 degrees. 
     
     
         16 . A load distribution apparatus comprising:
 an attachment portion, the attachment portion comprising an attachment mechanism adapted to connect to a wrist or arm of a user;   a weight receiving portion, the weight receiving portion comprising a downwardly extending portion, an upwardly extending portion, and a bottom portion connecting the downwardly extending portion and the upwardly extending portion, the bottom portion including a contact surface adapted to receive one or more items to be carried by the user; and   a connection portion connecting the attachment portion to the weight receiving portion in a manner where the weight of the one or more items on the contact surface can be transferred to the wrist or arm of the user,   wherein the extending portion and the bottom portion are sized and shaped to allow the user to selectively grasp the one or more items with the user's fingers and to selectively not touch the one or more items when the one or more items are on the contact surface.   
     
     
         17 . A load distribution apparatus according to  claim 16  the weight receiving portion comprises a first bar and a second bar, each of the first bar and the second bar making up the downwardly extending portion, the upwardly extending portion, and the bottom portion, and wherein the first bar and the second bar together form a double hook configuration. 
     
     
         18 . A load distribution apparatus according to  claim 16  wherein the downwardly extending portion includes a straight portion and wherein the upwardly extending portion includes a straight portion, and wherein the straight portion of the upwardly extending portion is angled relative to the straight portion of the downwardly extending portion by an angle of from about 15 degrees to about 80 degrees. 
     
     
         19 . A load distribution apparatus according to  claim 16  wherein the length from the bottom of the attachment mechanism to the contact surface is from about 2 inches to about 6 inches. 
     
     
         20 . A load distribution apparatus according to  claim 16  the weight receiving portion comprises a first bar and a second bar, each of the first bar and the second bar making up the downwardly extending portion, the upwardly extending portion, and the bottom portion, and wherein the first bar and the second bar are separated from one another by from about 1 inch to about 8 inches.