US3181752A - Means for carrying luggage, bags, and the like - Google Patents

Description

May 1965 A. P. SELTZER ETAL 3,181,752

MEANS FOR CARRYING LUGGAGE, BAGS, AND THE LIKE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 27, 1964 INVENTORS May 4, 1965 A, P. SELTZER ETAL 3,181,752

MEANS FOR CARRYING LUGGAGE, BAGS, AND THE LIKE Filed May 27, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS May 4, 1965 A, P. SELTZER ETAL 3,181,752

MEANS FOR CARRYING LUGGAGE, BAGS, AND THE LIKE 4 Filed May 27, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 F/ 6. 7 F/G. 8

A. P. SELTZER ETAL 3,181,752

MEANS FOR CARRYING LUGGAGE, BAGS, AND THE LIKE May 4, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed May 2'7, 1964 United States Patent 3,181,752 MEANS FOR CARRYING LUGGAGE, BAGS, AND THE LIKE Alice Porter Seltzer and Abraham Frank Seltzer, both of 292 Garfield Place, Brooklyn, N.Y. Filed May 27, 1964, Ser. No. 370,417 6 Claims. (Cl. 224-) The present invention relates to means for assisting a person in carrying heavy burdens, and more particularly, relates to a harness means of novel and improved design to be worn about the body for enabling the wearer to carry luggage, shopping bags, and the like without using the arms and hands to support the burden.

The apparatus of the present invention comprises a main supporting harness, which is worn about the torso of a person underneath his outer garments, and a pair of auxiliary appendages suspended from either side of the harness to which the load to be carried is attached. The proposed apparatus possesses several novel and distinctive advantages over prior art harness constructions heretofore employed for assisting persons in carrying luggage and bags. Such harness devices, due to the constrictive cross-strapping employed in their design and their failure to allow for adequate distribution of the weight of the carried load over a wide-enough area of the body, have been found to be very harmful to personal health if worn over long prolonged periods of time.

Although finding beneficial application for use by persons in robust health who in the course of their daily activities must frequently carry luggage, parcels, and similar heavy and tiresome burdens, the present invention has been primarily conceived as an aid for thosepersons in an inflicted condition who are obliged to use artificial limbs, or who have lost the normal use of their limbs or hands due to disease or injury. Since conventional harness devices for assisting the carrying of heavy bags and luggage have been designed to be used and worn by persons in good health, they are quite unsuitable for use by individuals suffering from rheumatic, nerve, post-surgical and other ailments who are especially susceptible to excessive strain imposed by constrictive forces and stresses on the heart, abdominal, respiratory and various nerve areas of the body.

The applicants, who are husband and wife, were urged to conceive the present invention because of the experience of the husband with more than twelve years of traumatic attacks of arthritis and nerve pains in the arms, hands, fingers and other parts of body and limbs, so that at various periods, each of many weeks duration, he could not handle food, shave, pick up or manipulate any thing with the fingers, or otherwise carry out properly any activities requiring normal use of the hands. During these years and the many long treatment periods spent at physio-therapeutic, orthopedic, neurological and other rehabilitation clinics, he observed the suifereing of the afflicted of all ages, including children as well as elderly persons, and heard their complaints that, even after receiving all possible aid from these clinics, they still could not be active in their work as they were unable to use their hands and arms to lift and carry bags and packages. This was an especially unfortunate situation for afiiicted children of school age since, being unable to carry their books or partake in many activities, they became retarded and withdrawn from society. 7

Throughout this period the applicants searched for an existing device or an adaptation thereof which would enable the husband to carry articles, especially when he was obliged to make business trips and had to transport luggage, but the only thing that was found in the art which was at all usable was a newsboys or mailcarriers bag of the type slung over the shoulder. However, it was discovered, after using these devices at various times, that the hip areas became so affected and such harmful pressures were created on the body that they soon had to be discarded. Thus arose the need and desire to conceive a harness apparatus, suitable for use by the husband and others similarly situated, for carrying bags and luggage in a manner whereby constrictive pressures and stresses are substantially eliminated.

It is therefore a principal objective of the present invention to provide a harness means which relieves the arms and hands from the weight of carried luggage, bags, and similar heavy burdens and which may be utilized beneficially by persons afllicted with severe physical disabilities as well as by those in normal health.

To the above end the harness apparatus of the present invention is so constructed that the resulting pressures created by the weight of the carried load are evenly distributed over a wide portion of the body, rather than concentrated on small specific areas. Furthermore, even when the entire load is suspended from only one side of the body, the harness assembly functions to distribute the load factor across the entire shoulder area of the body as though the load were evenly balanced on each side.

By nature persons are usually self-conscious and generally adverse to disclosing the existence of bodily weaknesses or infirmities through wearing conspicuous aids or devices. Accordingly, it is one of the principal features of the present invention that the load-carrying harness is designed in such a manner that it may be concealed beneath ordinary outer garments and is practically invisible when in use; consequently, the fact that the wearer is employing an auxiliary means for assistance in carrying the burden is almost undetectable.

Another distinctive feature of the present invention is its provision of a leverage bar, attached to the end of the auxiliary appendage on each side of the harness, for controlling swaying and twisting of the load as it is carried.

The foregoing and other objectives, features, and advantages of the present invention will be more readily understood upon consideration of the following detailed description of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an illustrative embodiment of the present invention showing a harness apparatus designed for a male person;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the harness apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a back view of the harness apparatus shown in FIG. 1; a

FIG. 4 is a side view of the harness apparatus of FIG. 1 shown under a jacket; 7

FIG. 5 is a side view of the harness apparatus of FIG. 1 shown beneath a jacket and covering overcoat;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an illustrative embodiment of the present invention showing a harness appara- 7 tus designed for a female person;

FIG. 7 is a front view of the harness apparatus shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a back view of the harness apparatus shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a side view of the harness apparatus of FIG. 6 shown under a blouse and jacket;

FIG. 10 is a side view of the harness apparatus of FIG. 6 shown underneath a blouse, jacket and outer coat; 7

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary view showing details of the iliary Hand attachment and leverage bar in a closed, operative position;

FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view showing details of a shoulder pad construction for optional use with the harness apparatus of the present invention; and

FIG. 15 is a sectional view taken along the line 15-45 in FIG. 12 showing details of the leverage bar.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, there is shown an exemplary embodiment of a load-carrying apparatus for use by a male person. The main support medium of the apparatus is in the form of a harness designed to be worn over the underwear and under the dress shirt, and may be put on and taken off by the wearer as quickly and easily as a vest. The harness is preferably comprised of a soft and pliant natural or synthetic fiber material of suitable strength and lightweight characteristics. One material having such characteristics which has been found especially suitable for the present purposes is known as twilled upholstery tape. The harness assembly is constructed of a pair of elements 101, 102 which pass over the right and left shoulders, respectively, connecting at the front of the chest to a torso-encircling band 103 and converging in a V for connecting again with the band 103 at the center of the back. As shown, buckles 111, 112, and 113 are provided at suitable locations on the front side of the harness for enabling it to be donned by the wearer and for allowing the shoulder elements 101, 102 and the band 103 to be readily adjusted to size. This arrangement ensures proper alignment of the harness with the natural curvatures of the shoulders and back, and prevents the creation of pressure points at sensitive areas on the body as would otherwise be experienced with conventional cross-strapping. From each side of the harness at a point approximately directly underneath the arms a dangling appendage 10S, designated an Auxiliary Arm, is attached to the encircling band 103. Each of the pair of Auxiliary Arms attached to the harness is in turn secured to the load to be carried through a coupling means 125, designated an Auxiliary Hand, in a manner to be described later.

Returning now to a detailed description of the harness portion of the load-carrying apparatus, a plurality of individual cross-linkages 104, 106R and 106L are attached to points well up on the back portion of the harness to join the elements 101, 102 to the encircling band 103. These cross-linkages act as a balance factor when the wearer desires to carry a load unilaterally (i.e., on one side only), instead of on both sides of the harness. For example, if the burden is carried by the Auxiliary Arm 105 on the right side only, the cross-element 106L will act to equalize the load by distributing a portion of its weight to element 102 on the left side of the back. Similarly, when the load is carried by the appendage 105 on the left side only, the cross-element 106R will equalize the weight distribution by transferring a portion of the resulting stress to the right hand element 101.

The above is a novel departure from conventional har ness constructions wherein cross-strapping is provided which passes over the shoulders and across the sensitive area in the front, side and back of the torso, thereby creating severely constrictive conditions. In contradistinc tion, in the present construction the shoulder elements 101, 102 of the main supporting medium are the basic load-carrying elements, with the remainder of the linking elements in the back portion of the harness serving primarily load-distributing and pressure-preventing functions, whether the load'is carried unilaterally or on both sides of the body. It is important to note from the figures that the cross-linkages 105R and 106L, as well as the elements 101 and 102, are not joined to each other at points where they cross over, but instead are made freeriding as independent elements, in order to obtain the desired load distribution across the entire back area.

Additional vertical segments 107, 108, connecting the shoulder elements 101, 102 to the encircling band 103,

are preferably provided on the back portion of the harness to assist in distributing the weight of the load over the shoulder areas of the back. Through the above-described arrangement of shoulder elements, segments, and cross-linkages, any load applied to the harness will be equally distributed over the entire back area, regardless of whether the weight is applied principally to the right Auxiliary Arm appendage, the left Auxiliary Arm appendage, or equally to both.

In the female version of the harness, shown in FIGS. 6-8, the weight equalization and distribution is accomplished in a generally similar manner to that of the male harness, except that, due to anatomical differences in the female torso, a small modification is preferably made wherein the shoulder elements 101' and 102" are extended down the respective right and left sides of the chest to connect to a waist-level belt 105, instead of to the chest-level band 103'. The configuration of the back segments and cross-linkages is generally the same as in the male version of the harness, except that the band 103' is attached in the back to the belt 109 by a vertical link member 110 which further assists in distributing the weight of the carried load over the back area. Also, in the female version of the harness, a horizontal element 114 is preferably provided in front for connecting together the shoulder elements 101', 102 just below the neck. Again, buckles 115, 116R, 116L, 117 are provided at appropriate locations for engaging and adjusting the fit of the harness.

FIGS. 11-13 show constructional details of the Auxiliary Arm 105 and the Auxiliary Hand 125 which are exemplary of the means by which the load may be secured to and carried by the harness. (The Auxiliary Arm members 105 and Auxiliary Hand members 125 are identical in structure for both the male and female versions of the harness, and the arm and hand members for the right side are the mirror images of the ones for the left which are shown in the figures.)

The Auxiliary Arm is permanently attached to the encircling band 103 of the torso harness at a point beneath the armpit, close towards the edge of element 107 (or 108), and hangs loosely along the side of the body. Reinforcing tape segments 118 are preferably provided overlying the juncture of the Auxiliary Arm 105 with the encirling band 103 in order to strengthen the harness assembly at this point of high stress. On the lower end of the Auxiliary Arm 105 several rows 120, a and a column of hook eyelets 119 are arranged for engaging it with the Auxiliary Hand in the following manner: The vertical column of eyelets 119 provides a means whereby the Auxiliary Arm may receive and engage, at VEIIlOtlS locations along its length, the solitary hook 131 located at one end of the Auxiliary Hand 125. The horizontal rows of eyelets 120 and 12% on the Auxiliary Arm 105 are similarly designed to receive and engage corresponding rows of hooks 129 on the reverse face of the Auxiliary Hand. A vertical column of eyelets 122 are also provided on the reverse face of the Auxiliary Arm to engage a hook element 121 disposed on the same side thereof, so that whenever the Auxiliary Hand is attached to the uppermost rows of eyelets 120 on the arm, the lower portion of the Auxiliary Arm will not project beneath the Auxiliary Hand member and be exposed to view.

Referring now particularly to FIG. 12, the Auxiliary Hand 125 is shown in the opened position prior to its attachment to the load and connection to the Auxiliary Arm 105. In the practice of the invention the Auxiliary Hand member, which preferably is of pliable leather construction, is secured to the handle portion of the luggage, bag, or other load which is to be carried, by passing the lower end of the element 125 through the handle of the luggage from the inward side to the outside, and then passing it upward to close the ends together by engaging the rows of eyelets or 130a with the corresponding row of hooks 128. The Auxiliary Hand 125 is then readily attached to the depending Auxiliary Arm 105 by engagement of the hook rows 129 with the corresponding rows of eyelets 120 or 120a on the outside facegof the arm.

The leverage bar 126, the details of which are best shown in FIGS. 12, 13, and 15, is an important feature of the Auxiliary Hand assembly and provides a substitute for human hands and fingers in controlling and steadying the sway action of bags and luggage when carried by the harness apparatus. The leverage bar 126 is of rigid, one-piece construction and is provided with an aftmounted handle portion 126a and a central slot 127 through which the Auxiliary Hand strap 125 is threaded. The slot permits the leverage bar to be moved along the Auxiliary Hand element 125 and adjusted to proper position when attaching the Auxiliary Hand to the load. The leverage bar is provided on the lower face with a pair of shaped spring catches 132 which permit the leverage bar to readily engage the handle portions of luggage, shopping bags, and the like. A pair of snap-on members 143, permanently fastened on each catch 132, en-

gage corresponding sockets 145 located on the underside of the leverage bar 126. This arrangement of snapons and sockets permits the shape and design of the catches 132 to be readily changed, as needed, to fit various types of luggage and bag handles.

The leverage bar 126 is not employed in the lifting or carrying of the load, but rather provides a means for steering and controlling swaying and twisting of the carried parcel during its transportation by the harness. The application of but a slight pressure from the thumb or other fingers of the hand to the handle 126:: of the leverage bar 126 will effectively steady the load against the influence of these forces. In certain cases, where the digits of the hand are not usable or available, the handle of the leverage bar may be located in the natural crevice between the Thenar and Hypothenar eminences of the palm. Also, if it be more comfortable or convenient for the user, a handle may be located forward as well as aft of the body of the leverage bar 126 if desired. If the hand itself is not usable due to severe pain or injury, a suitable attachment may be provided for connecting the wrist, forearm, or other portion of the limb to the handle of the leverage bar to provide the necessary steadying effect and control. Similarly, suitable attachments may be provided for use by persons equipped with artificial arm or hand members to control swaying of the luggare or bags in transit.

As shown in PEG. 14, a removable set of shoulder pads 124 may be additionally provided if desired with each version of the harness to meet particular requirements, as when heavy loads are to be carried or the user is especially sensitive to pressure in the shoulder area. Two tapes are arranged into loops 123 and permanently attached on the underside of each of elements 101 and 102 so as to form recessed areas into which pad 124 may be fitted. The pads, which are of orthopedic cushioning or similar material, are so constructed that they may be readily fitted through the tape loops to lay in the proper position.

FIG. 4 shows the apparatus of the present invention as worn by a male person underneath conventional mens garments. As stated previously, a principal feature and important advantage of the present invention is that the entire harness as well as a large portion of the auxiliary appendages, are worn underneath outer garments and are completely concealed from view. This has not here tofore been accomplished in a load-carrying harness and is achieved in the present invention by utilizing a number of slits, strategically placed in certain of the garments worn over the body harness, to enable the auxiliary appendage connected to the harness to pass through the outer layers of clothing for attachment to the carried load.

In FIG. 4, for example, the harness is shown worn underneath the shirt and jacket of a male. The Auxiliary Arm 105, depending from the encircling band 103 of the harness, is passed down the side of the body and to the outside through a horizontal slit 133 out in the side of the shirt approximately midway between the upper arm and the waistline. When not in use the Auxiliary Arm 105 hangs freely along the side of the body and is com cealed from sight by the length of the covering jacket. In order to carry a luggage bag 140 or the like, the Auxiliary Hand, which may be rolled up and carried in a pocket of the coat jacket when not in use, is secured to the handle 141 of the bag and hooked to the lower portion of the Auxiliary Arm 105 in the manner previously described. In use, only the lower portion of the Auxiliary Hand and leverage bar 126 project beneath the jacket, and these elements are concealed from view when the user places his hand on the leverage bar to control the sway of the luggage. Accordingly, the fact that auxiliary means are being employed to assist the person in carrying luggage or similar burdens is almost undetectable by the casual observer. 7

FIG. 5 shows a male person wearing the load-carrying apparatus of the present invention underneath a suit' jacket and outercoat. In such situations, in addition to slit 133 in the side of the dress shirt, a horizontal slit 136 in the suit jacket (preferably placed just beneath the seam of the side-flap on the inner side of the pocket in order that the slit be concealed from view by the overlying pocket flap when the harness is not in use and the overcoat is removed), as well as a slit 135 similarly placed just below the side pocket flap of the overcoat, are provided. These slits permits the Auxiliary Arm 105 to be passed from the main body of the harness worn underneath the shirt through the layers of the shirt, jacket and overcoat to the outside for attachment to the Auxiliary Hand 125 and the luggage 140. In certain types of outer garments, such as raincoats, there already exists an opening through the pocket of the garment, and it is not necessary, in such cases, to provide an additional incision in the coat since the arm 105 may be threaded through this pre-existing opening. In any case, the fact that one is employing an auxiliary load-carrying harness remains virtually unnoticeable, since the arm and hand will naturally lie over and conceal the exposed portions of the Auxiliary Arm 105 and Auxiliary Hand 125 which are outside the overcoat.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show the manner in which the female version of the harness of the present invention is worn underneath conventional womens garments. As shown in FIG. 9, the harness is generally worn over the slip and other underclothing, and the Auxiliary Arm 105, connected to encircling band 103' of the body harness, hangs underneath the arm and along the side of the body under a covering overblouse and jacket. Since overblouses are not generally tucked into the skirts in female dress, no slits need ordinarily be required in the overblouse. In a manner similar to the male version of the harness previously described, the Auxiliary Hand 125 is hooked up to the end of the Auxiliary Arm 105 projecting underneath the jacket. Again, the wearers overlying arm and hand will serve to conceal virtually all of the Auxiliary Arm and Hand which would otherwise be exposed to view.

In FIG. 10, the jacket has been replaced by an outer- By the novel expedient of providing slits in the garments, as required, for the passage of the auxiliary appendage straps through the layers of clothing between the body harness and the outside, the present invention overcomes the disadvantages of prior art load-carrying harness means which attempt to utilize concealed carrying straps run through the armholes and sleeves of covering shirts, jackets, coats, etc. In particular, the adaptation of such conventional harness designs to the anatomy of the individual requires that the whole upper areas of the jacket and coat of the wearer be reconstructed in the difficult regions around the armholes, shoulders and collar of the garment. Even if one were to go to the expense of all this costly remanufacturing, still it is obvious that, when load-carrying straps are passed through garment sleeves in this manner, the wearer is severely restricted in the degrees of arm movement which he can make, and serious reactions in sensitive upper body and arm areas can result from the stresses imposed, even in the case of robust persons. In contrast, with the novel slit construction provided by the present apparatus, the hands and arms are completely free of the weight of the carried load and may be freely moved about in any desired direction; furthermore there is no strain or wear produced on the garment fabric.

The terms and expressions which have been employed here are used as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention, in the use of such terms and expressions, of excluding equivalents of the features shown and described, or portions thereof, it being recognized that various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention claimed.

What is claimed is:

1. A concealed carrying harness for assisting a user in transporting loads such as luggage, bags and the like, adapted to be worn on the body underneath at least one conventional outergarment comprising,

(a) a horizontal band secured around the torso at chest level and passing underneath the armpits,

(b) a pair of right and left elements passing over the respective shoulders and connecting to said band at the front and at the back,

(c) a pair of right and left appendage members, each attached to said horizontal band at a point underneath the respective armpit and passing downwardly underneath said outergarment and then outside through situated openings provided in the side of said outergarment below armpit level to hang down alongside the body, the exposed terminal portion of each of said appendage members being concealed by the users arm when downwardly extended, and

(d) means for coupling said terminal portion of each of said members to a load of the type described.

2. The combination set forth in claim 1, further including a pair of right and left rigid bar-like members, each secured to its respective appendage member near the terminal portion thereof for providing the user with leverage means for controlling twist and sway of said load in transit.

3. A non-constrictive and stress-distributing carrying harness for assisting a user in transporting loads such as luggage, bags and the like comprising,

(a) a horizontal chest-level band substantially encircling the body and passing underneath the armpits,

(b) a pair of right and left shoulder elements connected to said band at the front and passing over the respective shoulders and scapulae before converging to a V over the trapizious muscle regions and connecting to said band at the back,

(0) a pair of right and left cross-linkages, each independent of the other and attached to its respective shoulder element at a point overlying the scapular region of the back and crossing diagonally over the sixth dorsal region to connect to a portion of said band in the vicinity of the distal lateral end of the 8 sixth rib region on the respective opposite side of the back,

(d) a pair of right and left vertical linkages each connecting said scapular point on its respective shoulder element to the said portion of said band located on the respective same side of the back,

(e) a horizontal linkage connecting together said scapular points on said right and left shoulder elements, and

(f) a pair of right and left appendage members, each attached to said band at a point underneath the respective armpit and passing downwardly alongside the body, the terminal portion of each of said members being adapted for coupling to a load of the type described.

4. A concealed carrying harness for assisting a user in transporting loads such as luggage, bags and the like, a'fdapted to be worn on the body underneath at least one conventional outergarment comprising,

(a) a horizontal chest-level band substantially encircling the body and passing underneath the armpits,

(b) a pair of right and left shoulder elements connected to said band at the front and passing over the respective shoulders and scapulae before converging to a I over the trapizious muscle regions and connecting to said band at the back,

(0) a plurality of stress-distributing linkage elements interconnecting points on the back portions of said shoulder elements and said band,

((1) a pair of right and left appendage members, each attached to said band at a point underneath the respective armpit and passing downwardly underneath said outergarment and then outside through situated openings provided in the side of said outergarment to hang down alongside the body, the exposed terminal portions of said appendage members being concealed by the users arm when downwardly extended, and

(e) means for coupling said terminal portion of each of said members to a load of the type described.

5. A concealed carrying harness for assisting a user in transporting loads such as luggage, bags and the like, adapted to be worn on the body underneath at least one conventional outergarment comprising,

(a) a horizontal chest-level band substantially encircling the body and passing underneath the armpits,

(b) a pair of right and left shoulder elements connected to said band at the front and passing over the respective shoulders and scapulae before converging to a V over the trapizious muscle regions and connecting to said band at the back,

(0) a pair of right and left cross-linkages, each attached to its respective shoulder element at a point over lying the scapular region of the back and crossing diagonally over the sixth dorsal region to connect to a portion of said band in the vicinity of the distal lateral end of the sixth rib region on the respective opposite side of the back,

(d) a pair of right and left vertical linkages each connecting said scapular point on its respective shoulder element to the said portion of said band located on the respective same side of the back,

(e) a horizontal linkage connecting together said scapular points on said right and left shoulder elements,

(f) a pair of right and left appendage members, each attached to said band at a point underneath the respective armpit and passing downwardly underneath said outergarment and then outside through situated openings provided in the side of said outergarment to hang down alongside the body, the exposed terminal portion of each of said appendage 9 10 members being concealed by the users arm when References Cited by the Examiner g fi i g f ht d 1 it UNITED STATESPATENTS g aparro eaca eng an e conneclon 1 means for coupling said respective appendage mem- 2477432 7/49 Walsh 224 5 her to a handle portion of a load of the type 5 FOREIGN PATENTS described. 6. The combination set forth in claim 5, further including a pair of right and left rigid bar-like members, each 427 297 11/47 Italy secured to said respective connector means and providing 2057O6 9/39 switylerland the user with leverage means for controlling twist and 10 I sway of said load in tran it. HUGO O. SCHULZ, Primary Examiner.

162,452 3/49 Austria. 1,102,204 10/55 France.

Claims (1)

1. A CONCEALED CARRYING HARNESS FOR ASSISTING A USER IN TRANSPORTING LOADS SUCH AS LUGGAGE, BAGS AND THE LIKE, ADAPTED TO BE WORN ON THE BODY UNDDRNEATH AT LEAST ONE CONVENTIONAL OUTERGARMENT COMPRISING, (A) A HORIZONTAL BAND SECURED AROUND THE TORSO AT CHEST LEVEL AND PASSING UNDERNEATH THE ARMPITS, (B) A PAIR OF RIGHT AND LEFT ELEMENTS PASSING OVER THE RESPECTIVE SHOULDERS AND CONNECTING TO SAID BAND AT THE FRONT AND AT THE BACK, (C) A PAIR OF RIGHT AND LEFT APPENDAGE MEMBERS, EACH ATTACHED TO SAID HORIZONTAL BAND AT A POINT UNDERNEATH THE RESPECTIVE ARMPIT AND PASSING DOWNWARDLY UNDERNEATH SAID OUTERGARMENT AND THEN OUTSIDE THROUGH SITUATED OPENINGS PROVIDED IN THE SIDE OF SAID OUTERGARMENT BELOW ARMPIT LEVEL TO HANG DOWN ALONGSIDE THE BODY, THE EXPOSED TERMINAL PORTION OF EACH OF SAID APPENDAGE MEMBERS BEING CONCEALED BY THE USER''S ARM WHEN DOWNWARDLY EXTENDED, AND (D) MEANS FOR COUPLING SAID TERMINAL PORTION OF EACH OF SAID MEMBERS TO A LOAD OF THE TYPE DESCRIBED.

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