Suspended load ergonomic backpack

Abstract

A suspended-load backpack designed to permit the load to move relative to the wearer during walking and running so that the large movements between the load and the wearer of the backpack reduce the fluctuations of vertical motion of the load with respect to ground. Because the hip (and thus the pack body) goes up a down a good deal during walking, a large relative movement between the wearer and the load reduces the absolute excursion of the load. This movement may be, in turn, transferred to a motor through, for example, a rack and pinion gear, to convert the mechanical movement to electrical or mechanical energy. Such movement of the suspended-load relative to the wearer also reduces the forces on the wearer's body while walking or running, thus reducing the likelihood of orthopedic injury. The suspended-load backpack includes a suspension system having a first portion connected to shoulder straps directly or through an interface and a second portion connected to the pack body and a compliant mechanism that permits the second portion of the suspension system and the pack body to move up and down relative to the first portion of the suspension system in accordance with a gait of the wearer of the backpack.