Carrier assembly for a harness

Technical field

0001The present invention relates generally to a carrier assembly for a harness for carrying a backpack accessory, such as an energy source, in particular a backpack battery pack, or other accessories used to carry tools, clothes, computers etc.

Background art

0002Backpack battery packs are known to be used with electrically operated handheld devices, in particular power tools such as hedge trimmers, clearing saws, chain saws, brush cutters, trimmers, blowers, screw drivers, drills, hammer drills, nail guns, staplers, polishing or grinding tools, etc.

0003Backpack battery packs have the advantage over conventional accumulator based cordless tools that larger battery packs, i.e. battery packs with larger capacities can be used. This in turn has the advantage that the overall operational time can be greatly enhanced.

0004Carrying battery packs for e.g. several hours of operating a respective handheld device on the back may be wearisome. Therefore, it is in particular desirable to provide possibilities to comfortably and conveniently carry energy sources on the back.

0005There exists a wide variety of carrier systems for such backpack energy sources or battery packs, as disclosed in e.g. <patcit id="pcit0001" dnum="WO2013139371A"><text>WO 2013/139371</text></patcit>, <patcit id="pcit0002" dnum="EP3106565A"><text>EP 3 106 565</text></patcit>, <patcit id="pcit0003" dnum="US20160006005A"><text>US 2016/0006005</text></patcit> and <patcit id="pcit0004" dnum="EP2607026A"><text>EP 2 607 026</text></patcit>. These prior art documents describe different solutions for providing an ergonomic design of the carrier harness together with a battery pack attached thereto. <patcit id="pcit0005" dnum="US2014339275A"><text>US 2014/339275</text></patcit> discloses a carrier for carrying sporting equipment comprising a base member that is assembled to a pair of shoulder straps. The base member comprises a female dovetail joint opening towards the top. Equipment-specific members have a corresponding male dovetail, so that the desired equipment-specific member can be assembled to the base member by sliding the male dovetail into the female dovetail.

0006Drawbacks associated with the prior art are that they employ to varying degrees custom-made connections between the harness and the battery pack which considerably limits the possibility for the user to combine and/or switch between different configurations of energy sources.

Summary of invention

0007An object of the present invention is to provide an improved carrier assembly which allows the operator freedom of choice to connect any type of backpack accessory to the harness. This object is now achieved by a carrier assembly for a harness for carrying a backpack accessory according to a first aspect of the present invention, the carrier assembly comprising a back plate including connections for shoulder straps and an interface plate adapted to be attached to the backpack accessory, wherein the back plate comprises a coupling interface arranged to be removably connected to a corresponding coupling interface of the interface plate.

0008By providing an interface plate adapted to be attached to the backpack accessory and comprising a coupling interface arranged to be removably connected to a corresponding coupling interface on the back plate a modular solution is achieved. This allows for attachment of any suitable backpack accessory, e.g. diverse types of energy sources/battery packs, rucksacks or bags etc., to the back plate via the interface plate. The user will then no longer be limited to specific combinations of backpack accessories and harnesses as known from the prior art.

0009In a preferred embodiment, the coupling interface of the back plate is adapted to be connected to and disconnected from the coupling interface of the interface plate in an at least partially translational or linear movement which is substantially parallel to the back plate. Thus, a sliding motion for connection and disconnection of the interface plate from the back plate is achieved.

0010According to the invention, the coupling interface of the back plate comprises two parallel raised ridges, each having at least one overhanging flange facing towards or away from each other, and the coupling interface of the interface plate comprises corresponding raised ridges, each having at least one overhanging flange facing in the opposite direction of the corresponding flanges of the back plate, wherein the ridges are arranged such that when the back plate and the interface plate are aligned with each other and brought together in a translational or linear movement parallel to the ridges, the flanges are slid into locking engagement with each other to retain the interface plate on the back plate. The solution with the raised ridges and overhanging flanges provides a secure connection between the interface plate and the back plate which ensures that the interface plate cannot be removed from the back plate in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the back plate.

0011In a preferred embodiment, the raised ridges extend in a substantially longitudinal direction of the back plate. Alternatively, the raised ridges extend in a substantially transversal direction of the back plate. The orientation of the raised ridges define the insertion direction of the interface plate onto the back plate, either longitudinal or transversal.

0012According to the invention, a first end of the ridges of the interface plate each comprises a locking projection extending in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the ridge and facing towards each other, wherein the back plate comprises a pair of resilient locking tabs arranged to come into locking engagement with the locking projections at the end of the translational or linear movement between the interface plate and the back plate parallel to the ridges. The locking engagement ensures that the interface plate remains in place on the back plate during use,

0013In a further preferred embodiment, the resilient locking tabs are formed as ribs extending in a longitudinal direction of the back plate into an opening therein and comprise a main portion having a lateral projection adapted to engage the locking projections of the interface plate, and a web portion connecting a distal end of the main portion to a central rib arranged between and at a distance from the locking tabs. The resilient locking tabs may easily be disengaged from the locking projections to allow removal of the interface plate from the back plate. The web portion acts to bias the resilient locking tab towards the locking engagement position.

0014In an advantageous embodiment, the interface plate comprises an abutment member which protrudes from the surface of the interface plate on the same face as the raised ridges adjacent a second end of the ridges, wherein the abutment member is arranged to engage a top edge of the back plate when the interface plate has been brought together with the back plate in order to define a stop position of the translational or linear movement. The abutment member provides a stop for the interface plate such that it is prevented from moving further in relation to the back plate.

0015In a preferred embodiment, a distal side of the locking projections in an insertion direction of the interface plate has a bevelled or chamfered surface. In addition, or as an alternative, a proximal side of the resilient locking tabs in an insertion direction of the interface plate has a bevelled or chamfered surface. The bevelled or chamfered surfaces act to smoothly deflect the resilient locking tab laterally when the interface plate is inserted into the back plate by translational or linear movement, such that the locking projections can move past the resilient locking tabs. Once the locking projections have passed the resilient locking tabs, the latter spring back into locking engagement with the locking projections.

0016In an alternative embodiment, leading and/or trailing edges of the flanges in an insertion direction of the interface plate has a bevelled or chamfered surface. The bevelled or chamfered surfaces provide a smooth sliding motion when inserting the interface plate onto the back plate.

0017In a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a harness comprising a carrier assembly according to the first aspect.

Brief description of drawings

0018The invention is now described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: <ul id="ul0001" list-style="none" compact="compact"><li><figref idref="f0001">Figs. 1a and 1b</figref> show front and rear perspective views, respectively, of an exemplary harness comprising a carrier assembly according to the present invention;</li><li><figref idref="f0002">Figs. 2a and 2b</figref> show front and rear face views, respectively, of an interface plate forming part of a carrier assembly according to the present invention;</li><li><figref idref="f0002">Figs. 3a and 3b</figref> show front and rear face views, respectively, of a back plate forming part of a carrier assembly according to the present invention;</li><li><figref idref="f0003">Fig. 4</figref> shows a perspective view of the front face of the interface plate of <figref idref="f0002">Figs. 2a and 2b</figref>;</li><li><figref idref="f0003">Fig. 5</figref> shows a perspective view of the rear face of the back plate of <figref idref="f0002">Figs. 3a and 3b</figref>;</li><li><figref idref="f0004">Fig. 6</figref> shows a front face view of the interface plate and the back plate of the carrier assembly according to the present invention assembled together; and</li><li><figref idref="f0004">Fig. 7</figref> shows a front perspective view of the interface plate and the back plate of the carrier assembly according to the present invention assembled together.</li></ul>

Description of embodiments

0019In the following, a detailed description of a carrier assembly according to the invention is presented. In the drawing figures, like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding elements throughout the several figures. It will be appreciated that these figures are for illustration only and are not in any way to be seen as restricting the scope of the invention.

0020In the context of the present invention, the terms 'front' and 'rear' shall be interpreted in relation to the operator when wearing the harness including the carrier assembly. Thus, surfaces facing in the forward direction of the operator shall be designated front faces and surfaces facing in the opposite, backward direction of the operator shall be designated rear faces.

0021<figref idref="f0001">Figs. 1a and 1b</figref> show in perspective views the front and rear of an exemplary harness 1 for carrying a handheld, motor-driven power tool (not shown) of the kind described in the introductory portion, which may be used together with a carrier assembly according to the present invention. The harness 1 comprises a pair of shoulder straps 2 to be worn on the shoulders by the operator. The shoulder straps 2 are connected to a back plate 10 by means of a carrier assembly (not shown). Attached on the rear face of the back plate 10, there is shown an interface plate 20 which together with the back plate 10 form a carrier assembly according to the present invention, as will explained more in detail below. Further, on one side of the back plate 10 there is attached a side strap 3 for providing additional stability and support when carrying the power tool. In a bottom portion of the back plate 10, a hip belt 4 is attached to be worn around the hips by the operator. On the opposite side of the side strap 3, there is provided a hip plate 5 comprising means (not shown) for attaching the power tool. The hip plate 5 is connected to the harness 1 by means of strap 6, which attaches to the back plate 10 on the rear face of the harness 1, as shown in <figref idref="f0001">Fig. 1b</figref>. On the rear face of the harness 1, there is provided a chest buckle 30 arranged for attachment of the strap 6 for the hip plate 5, the side strap 3 and connecting straps to the shoulder straps 2 to keep the harness 1 in place on the body of the operator during use and allow for distribution of forces caused by the weight of the power tool.

0022The harness 1 is designed to provide a comfortable fit for the operator, distribute the forces caused by the weight of the power tool and allow freedom of movement for the operator during operation of the power tool.

0023As mentioned above, one of the objects of the present invention is to provide an improved carrier assembly which allows the operator freedom of choice to connect any type of backpack accessory to the harness. To this end, a carrier assembly for the connection between the back plate 10 and an interface plate 20 is provided.

0024In <figref idref="f0002">Figs. 2a and 2b</figref>, an interface plate 20 of the carrier assembly is illustrated in rear and front views, respectively. <figref idref="f0002">Fig. 2a</figref> shows the rear face 20a of the interface plate 20. The rear face 20a provides a surface for attachment of any suitable backpack accessory thereto, such as e.g. a battery pack, a bag or rucksack or any other kind of article that the operator may wish to carry on the back when wearing the harness 1. The interface plate 20 may be attached to the backpack accessory in any suitable manner, for instance by gluing, welding, riveting, stitching, screwing, strapping etc. Subsequently, the operator may attach the interface plate 20 onto the back plate 10 of the harness 1.

0025The front face 20b of the interface plate 20 as shown in <figref idref="f0002">Fig. 2b</figref> is arranged to face the rear face 10a of the back plate 10, as shown in <figref idref="f0002">Fig. 3a</figref>. Laterally on each side of the interface plate 20 there is provided connection means 21 for attaching shoulder straps 2 of a harness 1, e.g. such as shown in <figref idref="f0001">Figs. 1a and 1b</figref>. The connection means 21 may comprise slots for passage of the shoulder straps 2 there through, or other suitable means for attaching the shoulder straps 2. A coupling interface 22 of the interface plate 20 is arranged on the rear face 20a and comprises two parallel raised ridges 23a, 23b. The raised ridges 23a, 23b extend in a longitudinal direction of the interface plate 20 which coincides with the insertion direction of the interface plate 20 onto the back plate 10 when assembling the carrier assembly.

0026Each of the raised ridges 23a, 23b comprises at least one overhanging flange 24a, 24b, more clearly shown in <figref idref="f0003">Fig. 4</figref>. The flanges 24a, 24b may comprise a plurality of regularly spaced apart flanges along the raised ridges 23a, 23b as shown in <figref idref="f0002">Figs. 2a</figref> and <figref idref="f0003">4</figref>, or may comprise a single continuous flange (not shown) along the length of the raised ridges 23a, 23b. The flanges 24a, 24b and the raised ridges 23a, 23b together present an L-shaped cross section.

0027In <figref idref="f0002">Figs. 3a and 3b</figref>, a back plate 10 of the carrier assembly is illustrated in rear and front views, respectively. The back plate 10 similarly comprises a corresponding coupling interface 12 on its rear face 10a, arranged to face the front face 20b of the interface plate 20, and comprising two parallel raised ridges 13a, 13b. The raised ridges 13a, 13b extend in a longitudinal direction of the back plate 10 which coincides with the insertion direction of the interface plate 20 onto the back plate 10 when assembling the carrier assembly.

0028Each of the raised ridges 13a, 13b comprises at least one overhanging flange 14a, 14b, more clearly shown in <figref idref="f0003">Fig. 5</figref>. The flanges 14a, 14b may comprise a plurality of regularly spaced apart flanges along the raised ridges 13a, 13b as shown in <figref idref="f0002">Figs. 3a</figref> and <figref idref="f0003">5</figref>, or may comprise a single continuous flange (not shown) along the length of the raised ridges 13a, 13b. The flanges 14a, 14b and the raised ridges 13a, 13b together present an L-shaped cross section.

0029The distance between the raised ridges 13a, 13b of the back plate 10 and the raised ridges 23a, 23b of the interface plate 20 is adapted such that when the interface plate 20 is aligned with the back plate 10 they may be brought together in a translational or linear movement using a sliding motion parallel to the raised ridges 13a, 13b; 23a, 23b. The sliding motion is effected substantially in a longitudinal direction of the back plate 10. As the interface plate 20 and back plate 10 are assembled together, the flanges 24a, 24b of the interface plate 20 are slid into locking engagement with the flanges 14a, 14b of the back plate 10. Thus, the interface plate 20 and the back plate 10 are prevented from being separated in a direction perpendicular to the plane defined by the back plate 10.

0030The back plate 10 further comprises a through-going opening 16 arranged centrally between the raised ridges 13a, 13b. A pair of resilient locking tabs 15a, 15b extend into the opening 16 in a direction substantially parallel to the raised ridges 13a, 13b. The locking tabs 15a, 15b are formed as ribs and comprise a main portion 17a, 17b having a lateral projection 18a, 18b at a distal, free end thereof. The resilient locking tabs 15a, 15b are oriented in the opposite direction of the insertion direction of the interface plate 20 onto the back plate 10, which is downwards in <figref idref="f0002">Figs. 2a and 2b; 3a and 3b</figref>. Additionally, the distal end of the main portion 17a, 17b are connected to a central rib 11, which bisects the opening 16, by means of web portions 19a, 19b. The web portions 19a, 19b act as springs to bias the locking tabs 15a, 15b laterally outward, away from the central rib 11.

0031The central rib 11 extends parallel to the raised ridges 13a, 13b at equal distance from the locking tabs 15a, 15b. In one embodiment, the central rib 11 extends beyond the opening 16 and connects to the raised ridges 13a, 13b which join together in a semi-circular shape at a lower end.

0032Referring now to <figref idref="f0002">Figs. 2b</figref> and <figref idref="f0003">4</figref>, the front face 20b of the back plate 20 comprises a pair of locking projections 25a, 25b arranged at or adjacent a lower end of the raised ridges 23a, 23b. The locking projections 25a, 25b comprise a lateral engagement surface oriented substantially perpendicular to and facing in the opposite direction of the insertion direction of the interface plate 20 onto the back plate 10.

0033The resilient locking tabs 15a, 15b of the back plate 10 are arranged to come into locking engagement with the locking projections 25a, 25b of the back plate 20 when the carrier assembly is assembled. To this end, the lateral projections 18a, 18b on the resilient locking tabs 15a, 15b comprise a transversal surface, substantially perpendicular to and facing in the insertion direction of the interface plate 20. During insertion of the interface plate 20 onto the back plate 10, the resilient locking tabs 15a, 15b are deflected laterally inwards toward the central rib 11 by the operator. When the end position of the interface plate 20 been reached, the web portions 19a, 19b act on the main portions 17a, 17b to bias the locking tabs 15a, 15b away from the central rib 11 such that the lateral projections 18a, 18b engage the pair of locking projections 25a, 25b to ensure that the interface plate 20 cannot move in relation to the back plate 10. To release the locking engagement between the resilient locking tabs 15a, 15b and the locking projections 25a, 25b, the operator simply deflects the locking tabs 15a, 15 by a two-finger grip and slides the interface plate 20 upwardly in relation to the back plate 10.

0034In order to facilitate smooth operation of the sliding motion, the distal side of the locking tabs 25a, 25b in the insertion direction of the interface plate 20 onto the back plate 10 and/or the distal end of the locking projections 15a; 15b may comprise a bevelled or chamfered surface. In a similar fashion, leading and trailing edges of the flanges 14a, 14b; 24a, 24b in the insertion direction of the interface plate 20 may comprise bevelled or chamfered surfaces.

0035Arranged in the upper portion of the interface plate 20, there is provided an abutment member 26 which protrudes from the front face 20b in a position proximal to a second end of the raised ridges 23a, 23b in the insertion direction of the interface plate 20. The abutment member 26 is arranged to engage a top edge 10c of the back plate 10 when the interface plate 20 has been brought together with the back plate 10 in order to define a stop position of the translational or linear insertion movement. To this end, the abutment member 26 comprises a flange 27 extending distally in the insertion direction of the interface plate 20, thus presenting an L-shaped cross section. The abutment member 26 with the flange 27 is adapted to hook onto the top edge 10c and ensure that the interface plate 20 cannot move further downwards with respect to the back plate 10.