Lift Assist Work Belt Device

Abstract

A lift assist work belt device for facilitating manual transport of a load includes a work belt, which comprises a back portion and a front portion. The back portion and the front portion are selectively mutually engageable to secure the work belt around a waist of a user. A pad, which is attached to an inner surface of the back portion, cushions a back of the user and enhances support to the back that is provided by the work belt. A pair of prongs is attached to the front portion and protrudes outwardly from the work belt upon donning of the work belt by the user. The prongs engage a lower surface of a load carried by the user to shift a center of gravity of the load toward the user.

1 . A lift assist work belt device comprising:
 a work belt comprising a back portion and a front portion, the back portion and the front portion being selectively mutually engageable for securing the work belt around a waist of a user;   a pad attached to an inner surface of the back portion, wherein the pad is configured for cushioning a back of the user and for enhancing support to the back provided by the work belt; and   a pair of prongs attached to the front portion, such that the prongs protrude outwardly from the work belt upon donning of the work belt by the user, wherein the prongs are configured for engaging a lower surface of a load carried by the user for shifting a center of gravity of the load toward the user, each prong being hingedly attached to the front portion, such that the prong is selectively positionable in a stowed configuration wherein a free end of the prong abuts the front portion, and a deployed configuration wherein the prong extends from the front portion, a surface of each prong facing the first portion in the stowed configuration being concave, the surface of each prong facing the first portion in the stowed position being an arc less than 180 degrees.   
     
     
         2 . The lift assist work belt device of  claim 1 , further including:
 a pair of first fasteners, each first fastener being attached to the back portion proximate to a respective opposed end of the back portion; and   a pair of second fasteners, each second fastener being attached to the front portion proximate to a respective opposing end of the front portion, the second fasteners being complementary to the first fasteners, such that each second fastener is positioned for selectively engaging an associated first fastener for securing the work belt around the waist of the user.   
     
     
         3 . The lift assist work belt device of  claim 2 , wherein the second fastener and the associated first fastener comprise a hook and loop fastener. 
     
     
         4 . The lift assist work belt device of  claim 3 , wherein the pair of second fasteners comprising a first element of a hook and loop fastener extending between the opposing ends of the front portion. 
     
     
         5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . The lift assist work belt device of  claim 1 , further including a coating attached to the pair of prongs, the coating being resiliently compressible, wherein the coating is configured for frictionally engaging the lower surface of the load and for reducing damage to the load. 
     
     
         8 . The lift assist work belt device of  claim 1 , wherein the coating comprises rubber, silicone, or elastomer. 
     
     
         9 . The lift assist work belt device of  claim 1 , further including a pair of straps attached to and extending between the back portion and the front portion of the work belt, wherein the straps are configured for positioning on shoulders of the user for distributing a weight of the load between the shoulders and the back of the user. 
     
     
         10 . The lift assist work belt device of  claim 9 , wherein the straps are mutually attached and cross proximate to the back portion. 
     
     
         11 . The lift assist work belt device of  claim 9 , further including a pair of buckles, each buckle being attached to a respective strap and positioned for selectively attaching to the respective strap, such that the buckle is positioned for adjusting an effective length of the respective strap. 
     
     
         12 . A lift assist work belt system comprising:
 a work belt comprising a back portion and a front portion, the back portion and the front portion being selectively mutually engageable for securing the work belt around a waist of a user;   a pad attached to an inner surface of the back portion, wherein the pad is configured for cushioning a back of the user and for enhancing support to the back provided by the work belt;   a pair of prongs attached to the front portion, such that the prongs protrude outwardly from the work belt upon donning of the work belt by the user; and   a load supported upon the prongs such that the prongs are engaged to a lower surface of the load and a center of gravity of the load is shifted toward the user.   
     
     
         13 . A lift assist work belt device comprising:
 a work belt comprising a back portion and a front portion, the back portion and the front portion being selectively mutually engageable for securing the work belt around a waist of a user;   a pair of first fasteners, each first fastener being attached to the back portion proximate to a respective opposed end of the back portion;   a pair of second fasteners, each second fastener being attached to the front portion proximate to a respective opposing end of the front portion, the second fasteners being complementary to the first fasteners, such that each second fastener is positioned for selectively engaging an associated first fastener for securing the work belt around the waist of the user, the second fastener and the associated first fastener comprising a hook and loop fastener, the pair of second fasteners comprising a first element of a hook and loop fastener extending substantially between the opposing ends of the front portion;   a pad attached to an inner surface of the back portion, wherein the pad is configured for cushioning a back of the user and for enhancing support to the back provided by the work belt;   a pair of prongs attached to the front portion, such that the prongs protrude outwardly from the work belt upon donning of the work belt by the user, wherein the prongs are configured for engaging a lower surface of a load carried by the user for shifting a center of gravity of the load toward the user, each prong being hingedly attached to the front portion, such that the prong is selectively positionable in a stowed configuration, wherein the prong abuts the front portion, and a deployed configuration, wherein the prong extends from the front portion, a surface of each prong facing the first portion in the stowed configuration being concave, the surface of each prong facing the first portion in the stowed position being an arc less than 180 degrees;   a coating attached to the pair of prongs, the coating being resiliently compressible, wherein the coating is configured for frictionally engaging the lower surface of the load and for reducing damage to the load, the coating comprising rubber, silicone, or elastomer;   a pair of straps attached to and extending between the back portion and the front portion of the work belt, wherein the straps are configured for positioning on shoulders of the user for distributing a weight of the load between the shoulders and the back of the user, the straps being mutually attached and crossing proximate to the back portion; and   a pair of buckles, each buckle being attached to a respective strap and positioned for selectively attaching to the respective strap, such that the buckle is positioned for adjusting an effective length of the respective strap.