Harness system for lifting objects

• US 6,508,389 B1
• Filed: 11/09/2000
• Issued: 01/21/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/15/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Larry D. Garman, Robert K. Ripoyla
• Original Assignee: Larry D. Garman, Robert K. Ripoyla
• Inventors: Ripoyla, Robert K., Garman, Larry D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cronin, Stephen K.
• Application Number:
  US09/710,084
• Time in Patent Office: 803 Days
• Field of Search: 224/157, 224/158, 224/160, 224/259, 224/260, 224/262, 224/266, 224/606, 182/3, 294/140
• US Class Current: 224/157
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 2003/045 and one additional strap around the waist
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 2003/146 Pack-carrying harnesses
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 3/04 Sacks or packs carried on the body by means of two straps passing over the two shoulders
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 3/14 Carrying-straps; Pack-carrying harnesses
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 7/12 Load carriers, e.g. hooks, slings, harness, gloves, modified for load carrying

Abstract

A harness lifting system 10 is provided for team lifting of objects 10. Two harnesses 12, 14 are provided which are worn separately by two users 32. The system 10 includes two support lines or straps 16, 18. Each line 16, 18 has coupling points spaced from each other which removably attach to one of the harnesses 12, 14. The lines 16, 18 preferably link together at cross-over point 26 and then extend back to the same harness 12, 14 that the line 16, 18 first extends from the system 10 includes adjustability providing structures and accessories for optimal use to enhance the basic system 10.

Claims

1. A tandem object lifting apparatus, comprising in combination:

a first harness wearable by a first user, said first harness including a portion which is extendible at least partially across a back side of the first user;

a second harness wearable by a second user, said second harness including a portion which is extendible at least partially across a back side of the second user;

a first line coupled at a first point to said first harness and coupled at a second point to said first harness;

a second line coupled at a first point to said second harness and coupled at a second point to said second harness;

a link between said first line and said second line, said link coupling said first line to said second line, said link located between said first point and said second point on said first line and between said first point and said second point on said second line; and

said link including said first line and said second line mutually looped around each other.

2. The lifting apparatus of claim 1 wherein said link is located at a midpoint between said first point and said second point on said first line and at a midpoint between said first point and said second point on said second line.

3. The lifting apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first line is slidably coupled at said first point to said first harness and slidably coupled at said second point to said first harness, such that a length of said first line between said first point and said second point can be adjusted both at said first point and at said second point.

4. The lifting apparatus of claim 3 wherein said slidable attachment of said first point to said first harness remains at a fixed location relative to said first harness.

5. The lifting apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first harness includes at least two loops joined together at at least one location, each said loop sized and spaced to receive one of a user'"'"'s arms therethrough, each said loop having a line fastener thereon, one of said fasteners located adjacent said first point and one of said fasteners located adjacent said second point;

and

a back support separate from said at least two loops, said back support extending between said fasteners and coupled to said fasteners.

6. The lifting apparatus of claim 5 wherein said back support includes a slide buckle, said slide buckle adapted to make a length of said back support adjustable.

7. A tandem object lifting apparatus, comprising in combination:

a first harness wearable by a first user, said first harness including a portion which is extendible at least partially across a back side of the first user;

a second harness wearable by a second user, said second harness including a portion which is extendible at least partially across a back side of the second user;

a first line coupled at a first point to said first harness and coupled at a second point to said first harness;

a second line coupled at a first point to said second harness and coupled at a second point to said second harness;

a link between said first line and said second line, said link coupling said first line to said second line, said link located between said first point and said second point on said first line and between said first point and said second point on said second line;

said first harness including at least two loops joined together at at least one location, each said loop sized and spaced to receive one of a user'"'"'s arms therethrough, each said loop having a line fastener thereon, one of said fasteners located adjacent said first point and one of said fasteners located adjacent said second point; and

a back support separate from said at least two loops, said back support extending between said fasteners and coupled to said fasteners.

8. The lifting apparatus of claim 7 wherein said back support includes a slide buckle;

said slide buckle adapted to make length of said back support adjustable.

9. The lifting apparatus of claim 8 wherein said back support includes a back pad slidably attached thereto, such that said back pad can remain centered between ends of said back support when a length of said back support is adjusted.

10. The lifting apparatus of claim 9 wherein said link includes said first line and said second line mutually looped around each other.

11. The lifting apparatus of claim 7 wherein said at least two loops of said harness have a fixed size.