Support arrangement for an implement

Abstract

This invention relates to a support arrangement for an implement such as a metal detector, the support arrangement comprising a harness worn by a user, the harness comprising an attachment point for a first load-bearing element transferring a load associated with the implement to the attachment point, and a second load-bearing element transferring the load from the attachment point to a further point on the harness.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A support arrangement for an implement, the support arrangement comprising:
 a user worn harness comprising an attachment point for a first load-bearing element transferring a load associated with the implement to the attachment point, and a second load-bearing element transferring this load from the attachment point to a further point on the harness.   
     
     
         2 . The support arrangement of  claim 1 , wherein the first load-bearing element is a tension member. 
     
     
         3 . The support arrangement as in  claims 1 , wherein the second load-bearing element is a compression member. 
     
     
         4 . The support arrangement as in  claim 1 , wherein the attachment point is at or near a shoulder joint of the user. 
     
     
         5 . The support arrangement as in  claim 4 , wherein the attachment point is at a front of the user. 
     
     
         6 . The support arrangement as in  claim 1 , wherein the further point is at or near hips of the user. 
     
     
         7 . The support arrangement as in  claim 6 , wherein the further point is between the hips of the user. 
     
     
         8 . The support arrangement as in  claim 6 , wherein the further point is at a rear of the user. 
     
     
         9 . The support arrangement as in  claim 1 , wherein the tension member is mechanically resilient. 
     
     
         10 . The support arrangement as in  claim 1 , wherein the compression member is mechanically resilient. 
     
     
         11 . The support arrangement as in  claim 1 , wherein the tension member is a tether. 
     
     
         12 . The support arrangement as in  claim 1 , wherein the tension member is flexible. 
     
     
         13 . The support arrangement as in  claim 1 , wherein the harness comprises a shoulder harness and a belt. 
     
     
         14 . The support arrangement as in  claim 13 , wherein the attachment point is located on a shoulder strap of the harness. 
     
     
         15 . The support arrangement as in  claim 14 , wherein the compression member extends from the attachment point to the belt. 
     
     
         16 . The support arrangement as in  claim 15 , wherein the compression member extends beneath the arm of the user. 
     
     
         17 . The support arrangement as in  claim 1 , wherein the implement is a tool or metal detector. 
     
     
         18 . The support arrangement as in  claim 1 , wherein a length of the compression member is adjustable. 
     
     
         19 . The support arrangement as in  claim 1 , wherein a length of the tension member is adjustable. 
     
     
         20 . A support arrangement for an implement, the support arrangement comprising a user-worn harness comprising:
 an attachment point, a first load-bearing element transferring a substantially vertically directed load associated with the implement to the attachment point, and a second load-bearing element redirecting at least a portion of the load, at the attachment point, substantially horizontally.   
     
     
         21 . A support arrangement for an implement comprising:
 a user worn harness comprising an attachment point; and   means for transferring at least part of the load from the attachment point to a further point on the harness.   
     
     
         22 . The support arrangement as in  claim 2 , wherein the second load-bearing element is a compression member.